2016 Annual Report
Chinchilla
The Chinchilla CSG development story
Chinchilla is a traditionally rural town situated on a tributary of the Condamine River. It is known for its biennial melon festival. In the district, sawmilling of cypress pine is also an establised industry.
The nearby Kogan Creek power station was opened in 2007. During its contruction, Chinchilla experienced housing pressure.
In December-January 2010-11, Chinchilla had two consecutive floods. The second was the worst flooding in over 100 years, causing the evacuation of around 70 homes and businesses (Queensland Places 2016).
2016 Synopsis
As the Western Downs' second largest town, Chinchilla appears to have benefitted from the CSG industry’s arrival, but negative impacts are also evident.
Since 2008, the population grew faster than the Western Downs’ average and the ratio of non-resident workers (NRWs) to local residents has been notably higher, peaking in 2013 at 1 NRW for every 4 residents before declining sharply. Personal income historically remained consistently below the Queensland average, but grew at a similar rate.
The number of business increased since 2010 and business income rose sharply in 2012/13. Despite the industry’s transition into operation, the number of business remained stable and income continued to increase into 2015.
House prices and rents increased markedly since 2008 until peaking in 2013, with rents well above the Queensland average between 2012 and 2014. It was reported that lower income earners had to leave town. To address housing affordability and prospects of future growth, the Council approved a high number of housing developments to alleviate growing pressures. In tandem with slowing CSG activity, this resulted in an oversupply of housing that caused house prices to fall by 25% and rents by 50% since 2013.
The total number of crimes and various offences has risen notably in 2016, and especially drug offences are casuing concern at double the Queensland average*.
* 2017 data shows of this figure decreasing again
What we did and why
The Chinchilla CSG development story has been created to understand the impacts on Chinchilla from coal seam gas (CSG) development. This analysis has been done with the help of key members of the Chinchilla and district community, including:
- Chinchilla Family Support Centre and Community Commerce and Industry, Inc.
- Members of the Liquor Accord
- Real estate agents
- Managers of hotels and other businesses
- Police
- Staff from schools and TAFE
- Staff from welfare and service organisations
- Local and state government staff
These people were presented with statistical data on ‘indicators’ of social and economic impact. The ‘indicators’ are:
- Population
- Unemployment
- Income
- Housing
- Training
- Top offences recorded by police
- Staff availability / skills shortages for local businesses
- Available tourist beds
Working with our researchers, the people interviewed in Chinchilla discussed the accuracy of the statistical data from a local perspective. That was done in research interviews. More information about the interviews is available here.
Indicator trends in Chinchilla have now been updated to include 2016 data. Interviews took place in 2014 and 2017.
The interviews reveal a local perspective on the Chinchilla CSG development story. From working with the Chinchilla community, here is what we found.