In 2017, several common themes are apparent in the social and economic indicators for Roma and Wallumbilla.

In terms of community spirit, there is a general perception that the post-CSG situation is settling in these towns. Interviewees conveyed a sense of looking ahead, with the focus shifting from “what we’ve lost”, to general acceptance and finding a way to live with local CSG activity.

Unemployment has continued on an overall upwards trend since the historic low of 2013. This increase is most apparent in Roma, where unemployment has reached an unprecedented high of 4.3% (compared to the previous recorded high of 2.9% in 2004). Despite this upwards trend, unemployment in both Roma and Wallumbilla remains well below the Queensland benchmark (6.1%). Most locals interviewed expect that unemployment will continue to rise, as the CSG workforce further downsizes and local businesses adapt to the less abundant landscape of CSG operations phase.

Total business income has decreased since the dramatic historic peaks of 2013, although Wallumbilla saw an increase in the most recent (FY15/16) data. The number of businesses in both towns has remained relatively stable, indicating that average income has decreased. However, community perceptions suggest that local businesses have declined; this disparity might suggest that the sustained high number of businesses captured in the data are not visible in the towns (e.g. home businesses). It is worth noting that, despite the decline in total business income, a stepwise change is evident in both income and number of businesses, with both indicators remaining at significant higher levels than pre-CSG periods (i.e. prior to 2010).

Housing was regarded as the most significantly impacted issue in Roma and Wallumbilla during the CSG “boom”, and remains an issue in both towns. Median rent and house values have continued a downwards trend since 2013, and demand has remained at historically low levels for the last two years.