Broadsound, Belyando and Peak Downs in central Queensland top the ranking of average incomes for wage and salary earners in Queensland, consigning Hamilton and Ascot to fourth and fifth place, according to new ABS small area data released today.  Largely this is due to coal mining.  The ABS reports:

…those regions with the State’s highest average Wage and salary incomes were located outside the Brisbane SD [Statistical Division]. These were Issac (R) – Broadsound ($64,725), Isaac (R) – Belyando ($63,225), and Central Highlands (R) – Peak Downs ($61,983).

The SLAs [Statistical Local Areas] that constitute the Isaac Regional Council are located on the Central Coast of Queensland; an area characterised by a mix of industries, including coal mining, cattle grazing, sugar cane and grain farming. The SLAs within the Central Highlands region have economic activities mainly involving coal mining, grain production and cattle farming.

The good times for miners look set to continue.  Mining companies are offering them juicy incentives to permanently relocate to mining communities:

Cash on offer to attract miners

Also, Queensland has a shot at being a major producer of iron ore:

Discovery puts Queensland on iron ore map

Who needs the Commonwealth Games?