Western Downs Regional Profile
Western Downs Regional Council is among the highest local government performers in Queensland and Australia. Traversed by national highways astride the headwaters of the Murray-Darling, the Dalby region is a hive of activity and growth through continued agriculture, manufacturing and resource diversification.
Over the past five years the Western Downs Regional Council electorate has experienced an increase in population, reversing the trend of rural decline. The estimated residential population as at June 2007 was 30,230. The next four years, to 2011, will see estimated growth projections almost double to 1.1% average annual growth.
Businesses in the region have begun to diversify from traditional markets in the agricultural sector into components, parts and services for the energy sector. Agriculture, forestry and fishing dominate the economy, representing 22.6% of the region's $1.3 billion gross domestic product (2006/07).
Strong growth and development is evident across the region in electricity, gas and water supply, up 30.3% to $41.7 million while professional services, transport and manufacturing also experienced greater than 15% annual growth.
Almost 10% of Queensland's manufacturing gross domestic product is produced within the Dalby region.
The energy resources sector, which comprises coal, coal seam gas, coal seam gas water, ethanol and power station development, has the potential to more than triple the gross regional product.
Within this growing economy, increased pressures on the labour market are reflected in low unemployment figures. The Dalby region's unemployment rate for the June Quarter 2008 was 3.1%, well below Queensland (3.7%) and Australia (4.2%) averages. Employed persons make up over half (53.8%) of the population, increasing in line with projected population growth of 0.8% average annual change.
The region's residents enjoy the benefits of relaxed country living, friendly and active communities without the pressures of time or traffic congestion experienced in city centres. The median house price was $225,000 in the year to June 2008, an increase of 7.7%. Despite increased median value of 176.3% over the past five years, the region's median house price is approximately 54.5% below those in the Brisbane metropolitan area and compare favourably with median house prices in Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Goondiwindi and South Burnett.
Residential building approvals decreased 52.4% in comparison to the previous year while total value decreased 40.8%. Significantly however, the average value of dwelling approvals for new houses increased 14.7% over the previous year and 53.6% since 2003-04. The total value of residential building approvals in the Western Downs Regional Council in the year to June Quarter 2008 was approximately $22.6 million.
As the region's economy builds, residents are expected to benefit from the opportunities and development occurring within local communities and industry.
So why not discover the Dalby region for yourself, where opportunity and lifestyle await you.
