Maranoa (Roma, Wallumbilla)

The Maranoa region experienced significant effects of the CSG construction phase in 2011-2013. We tracked these effects in two target towns - Roma and Wallumbilla. Key changes were observed with non-resident workers entering the local population temporarily, increased rental costs, local skills shortages, and increases in reported offences. The permanent population of the Maranoa region did not significantly change during the CSG construction period.  Population is expected to continue to increase steadily but modestly into the future.

During the peak of CSG construction, non-resident workers in Wallumbilla outnumbered permanent residents. Such chances led to some Wallumbilla families relocating to Roma, according to our interviews, as the feel of the town had changed.  Some residents – particularly women – reportedly felt unsafe.

House prices and rents increased in Wallumbilla.  However, they remained lower than the Queensland median.  Rents in Roma exceeded the Queensland median for a period, being $270 per week in 2009, when CSG development was first noticed locally.  Rents climbed to $450 per week in 2013 at the peak of the CSG construction period. Since then, the median rent has declined.  In 2015, it was still higher than the state median. The sale prices of houses were not similarly affected in Roma.

Skills shortages were felt in the Maranoa.  Our interviews revealed that some businesses had difficulty in finding skilled staff. That difficulty was attributed to the high wages paid by the CSG companies.  That made competition difficult for local, non-CSG businesses.

Drug and good order offences increased in Roma during the CSG construction period. Locals felt that drugs were ‘too easy to get’. Drug offences in Wallumbilla spiked in 2014.  They returned to below the state’s rate in 2015. An increase in theft in Wallumbilla was attributed to the increased availability and use of drugs.

These trends indicate that the Maranoa region changed as a result of the CSG construction period.  There are indications that the trends are beginning to return to pre-CSG levels.