Employment
In 2018, unemployment decreased in four of the five towns, arresting a rising trend from 2013. Tara’s 2017 unemployment spike did not continue into 2018, instead having only a slight rise, it has increased about 7% since 2013. Dalby, Chinchilla, and Miles-Wandoan all had a less than 1% decline in the last period and remain below the Queensland benchmark.
Community insights garnered from interviews highlighted the following themes and explanations for the changes to local employment rates:
- There are lots of jobs being advertised, one of the local mines is being expanded.
- Drought affects manufacturing as it is a large supplier to agriculture.
- Continued closure of old and large businesses.
- Times are “tough but not terrible”.
Business income
Total business income from non-primary production generally declined in 2016/17 (latest available ATO data). Businesses are struggling due to the drought, some have begun reaching for customers beyond South-East Queensland to ensure they stay in service. Businesses are also facing increased competition from online shopping, which some in the community believe may becoming more common as there are more closed shopfronts.
Individual income
The average taxable income in all five towns has historically sat below the Queensland benchmark, with only Chinchilla being higher during the peak CSG construction period.
- Chinchilla – Average personal income has declined since 2013/14, but remains just above the state average.
- Dalby and Tara – has remained quite steady from 2012/13 to 2016/17, with only incremental changes each year.
- Miles -
- Wandoan - continues to rise and is at an historic high in 2016/17, individual earnings which were decreasing since construction ended have picked up in the last year.
People interviewed in each town were not surprised that taxable income has stayed elevated since construction ended. It was commonly reported that workers are still employed on the higher wages created by CSG labour competition during the boom.
Housing
Overall, housing markets are recovering in the area, with rents either stable or increasing, with the flow on effects being seen in the house sales market. Following a general downwards trend since 2013 in number of house sales, all five towns saw an increase in 2017. From the community insights:
- Recently people have only been selling they have to – this may change.
- There are still high vacancy rates, people moving to towns will vary based on what work is available.
- The low rent has been good for young people to help save some extra money.
- With the closing of some worker’s camps and the start of new projects, the currently low rent should be attractive to outsiders.