Development of coal seam gas (CSG) in Queensland has offered opportunities and challenges. The information on this website tells the story of that development based on historical and recent trends in key indicators. It is intended to aid decision-making in local and state government, the resource industry, small business, landholders, community organisations, and individual households. Input from these various sectors was used to prioritise the indicators to track. Population, income, employment, housing costs, and crime rates. Seasonal rainfall was also monitored as agricultural seasons can influence social and economic indicators in towns. Petrol prices are included as a broad indicator of cost of living.
Secondary indicators are used to delve further into issues as they emerge. Insights are drawn together with a specific focus for feature articles. The 2018 annual report includes a feature article. Feature articles in previous years focused on town and business capability in 2017, small business in 2016, and housing in 2015.
The story of the 'gasfield' region is told through statistics, insights from key stakeholders in each town, and analysis of ‘system dynamics’ during periods of change in towns and regions. The social and economic outcomes are tracked at the town level. That is a level of granularity often missing in assessments of long-term outcomes from resource development. The research methods used are described on the Methods page.
The UQ Boomtown Toolkit provides access to search and view data charts for communities. To complete your own search view the Compare Towns section of this website. We also provide individual 2018 data and perception town booklets for town communities. Each booklet provides explanations of the interplay of an array of factors in the town. UQ's town data booklets can be downloaded in PDF format from the Data Updates section.
- 2018 data and perception booklets for town communities are available from resources section.
- An overview for Isaac, Maranoa and Western Downs regions are now available from data updates menu.
- Research methods available now.