2016 Annual Report
Chinchilla details
Changes to Chinchilla’s population
In 2016, Chinchilla's resident town population continued to increase, although the growth rate has slowed back to around 1%. Growth rates of over 5% were seen in 2009-10 and 7% in 2010-11) Between 2008 and 2012, data shows that population increased by 19%. Interviewees attributed this rise to CSG development. The rapid growth was seen as having caused a local ‘shock’.
When including the presence of non-resident workers (Full-Time Equivalent population), growth rates of 13% (in 2008), 10% (2010, 2011) and 7% (2012) were experienced. The influx of CSG workers, mostly male, was reported to have affected feelings of wellbeing. Interviewees noted that women initially felt unsafe. The effect of the influx of 'strangers' was described as challenging the town identity. The number of non-resident worker numbers in town dropped significantly in 2016.
An increase in the community’s cultural diversity was welcomed, said interviewees. Although a perceived loss of social connectivity in the community was mourned. Concern about further erosion of social cohesion and socail identity was expressed again in the latest2017 interviews. This was in relation to perceived in-migration of low-income families who are taking advantage of low rents and housing availability.
Housing in ChinchillaIn 2016, rents continued to fall steeply. The 2016 median rent of $200/week for a 3 bedroom house has not been seen in Chinchilla since early 2005. Steep declines follow a significant rise in rents from 2010 to 2014 due to increased housing demand - attributed in our interviews to CSG development. Median rents in Chinchilla were higher than the Queensland median from 2011 to 2014.
House sale prices have also decreased, although the number of sales has risen slightly. In interviews, falling house sale prices were attributed to the number of forced sales by banks due to mortgage repayment defaults. It was explained that some investors who bought property at higher prices, expecting sustained equally high rental returns have been left with vacant houses, lower value property and significant financial losses.
A lack of affordable housing was stated in earlier (2014) interviews to be the biggest impact of CSG development. It was blamed for causing families in the lower socio-economic groups to leave town and increased costs for local business to retain or attract employees.
In 2016 it was reported that vacancy rates were falling as houses either sold or were rented. Comparatively very low rents were said to be attracting lower income families back to the region, and those from other places.
Employment in Chinchilla
Unemployment in Chinchilla has been historically lower than the Queensland average. During the peak of the ‘CSG boom’, local unemployment dropped to below 1% in 2012-13.
In 2016, unemployment continued to rise with a greater increase than seen in the preceding two years.
With full employment, it was reported that school leavers no longer had to leave town to find work due to the opportunities in the CSG industry and supporting sectors.
In 2014, local people expected unemployment to rise to 3-4% as CSG construction ended. In 2016 it approached 4%.
Business in Chinchilla
Total business income continued to increase in 2014-15 (the latest ATO data).
Interviewees stated that while many Chinchilla businesses had benefited from CSG development, others had "missed out". They thought that the total business income measure alone did not reflect the true state of business activity in the community.
In 2014, the diversity of local businesses was reported to have increased, with many new conveniences and services being offered in the town. In some cases, it was explained how the new businesses (some of which are franchises of much larger chains) are competing with smaller local businesses for custom.
Interviewees described the closure of local businesses both during and after the CSG construction period. That was seen to be due to a loss of staff to the CSG industry, and due to increased competition from newly arrived businesses.
Safety in Chinchilla
Chinchilla has historically low crime rates, well below the Queensland rate.
Overall crime rates remained low during the CSG construction period with increased police presence, strict employment and conduct conditions for non-resident workers, a Liquor Accord and company vehicle monitoring. However, increases were seen in theft and Good Order* offences.
In 2016, theft offences continued to increase, and Good Order offences also rose significantly. Good Order offences can also relate to breaches of parole and other conditions on conduct placed by the State. Local police thought that the 2016 increase in Good Order offences might relate more to this category.
Drugs offences have increased since 2013 and numbers rose sharply again in 2016, placing them at levels well above the Qld benchmark.
See the Chinchilla Booklet for more information
The statistical data and more detailed perspectives from the Chinchilla interviewees are available in the Chinchilla booklet.
We would like to thank members of the Chinchilla community for their cooperation, and the gift of their time. We hope that we have done justice to their contributions to this investigation.
The UQ ‘Cumulative Impacts’ Research Team.