The Wandoan CSG development story: Introduction

Wandoan is small town in a geographically widespread area about 60km north of Miles.  The area experienced a short window of economic activity around 2008 associated with the beginnings of the Wandoan Coal Project. The coal project was put on hold indefinately in 2013 after many properties in the project area had been acquired. 

The population has declined steadily for over a decade from 2001 to 2012 and rural business incomes fluctuate.

2016 Synopsis

Wandoan is experiencing a new wave of CSG activity with the construction of the QCLNG Phase 2 'Charlie Project'  to the west of the town. In 2016 there were almost twice as many non-resident workers in town (600) as there were residents (350). Town resident population continues to grow - although additonal numbers are small - with three consecutive years of growth from 2013.  Population projections for the Miles-Wandoan region have been revised down from 2013 projections, showing a period of population stability and then llikely future growth. If the Wandoan thermal coal project was to go ahead, further influx of non-resident workers is likely.

The average income decreased in 2014-15 (latest ATO data) and total wage and salary earnings were down slightly after reaching a high in 2012-13. Total business incomes were also down in 2014-15 but by not as much as the previous year after reaching a peak in 2012-13. Business incomes remain around four times pre - CSG levels.

House sale prices continued to fall steeply in 2016 with very low numbers of sales. Rents also dropped by 30% as most of the non-resident workers are housed in camps outside of town. From 2015 onwards, the high number of vacancies - anecdotally reported to be above 50% - has been a source of local concern, which is further increased by service providers such as local banks closing.

Crime rates are returning to historically low levels with decreases in theft, Good Order, traffic and drugs offences.