Category Archives: Mackay

Regional rescue packages have a poor record

Posted on March 6, 2016 by

The Sunday Mail reported this morning that Queensland Federal Government MPs are “at odds over federal relief funding for Queensland” in response to the economic downturn in much of the State outside SEQ (e.g. note the large job losses in … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

Posted on January 21, 2016 by

In his recent commentary regarding strong growth in the retail sector, National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans noted: “South East Queensland is performing strongly but performance in Queensland is being held back by issues in some areas…Some areas are living … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Mackay asks why is Townsville getting special treatment?

Posted on January 20, 2016 by

Yesterday afternoon I spoke with Elly Bradfield on ABC Radio’s Statewide Drive program about Queensland Nickel entering administration and the likely economic fallout. I reiterated the points I made in this blog yesterday that this could be a big economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackay, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld has three of top five regional areas with most expensive residential lots

Posted on July 17, 2014 by

The Housing Industry Association released a very interesting note today on median lot prices in capital cities and regional Australia (i.e. non-Capital City Australia): Land price pressures signal policy failure. The data should prompt a number of Queensland Councils to review their … Continue reading →

Posted in Gold Coast, Housing, Mackay | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Largest unemployment rate increases over 2012-13 in metro Brisbane and Central Qld

Posted on July 19, 2013 by

I’ve mapped the changes in regional unemployment rates over 2012-13 (based on Queensland Treasury’s briefing on yesterday’s ABS data) in the maps below. The largest increases in the unemployment rate are in metropolitan Brisbane, related in part to public service … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Labour market, Mackay, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tales of the two-speed economy

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

Cashed up miners are pushing up rents in Mackay, with some prepared to pay $700+ per week for a house: 450 join already long queue Meanwhile the Fraser Coast economy remains in a slump, due to a drop in international … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackay, Mining, Tourism, Wide Bay-Burnett | Leave a comment

Budget losers

Posted on May 11, 2011 by

Despite the federal Government committing $365 million last year for the Gold Coast’s new light rail system, Ken Robinson of the Gold Coast Bulletin is asking the Government “what have you done for us lately?” Gold Coast invisible in Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Budget, Gold Coast, Mackay | Leave a comment