Gas industry boom brings uneven growth to Western Downs towns

In Chinchilla, a town on Queensland's Western Downs, the day begins before dawn at Lyn McCullough's bakery. High-visibility clad workers, employed in nearby gas fields, are her first customers, arriving as early as 4 a.m. for coffee, pies, and sausage rolls. These workers represent a significant portion of her business, helping to offset substantial increases in operating costs, such as a power bill that has nearly tripled since 2014.

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They'll come in for a coffee, pie or sausage roll, they'll spend $50 or $60 at a time.

The coal seam gas industry has profoundly reshaped the local economy in what is known as Queensland's energy capital. While it has spurred prosperity and attracted new investment, concerns are mounting about the uneven distribution of these benefits across the region. Shell QGC, a major player in Chinchilla, has contributed millions to community programs, yet the economic landscape presents a stark contrast between different towns.

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In 2014, our quarterly power bill was about $4,500. You know what we're paying now? Nearly $15,000.

Robin Haig, president of the Chinchilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, notes the deep integration of the gas industry into the town's fabric since the early 2000s. She points to demographic differences compared to similar-sized rural towns without a gas presence, citing higher median weekly incomes, rents, and a significantly younger average age in Chinchilla. The town's median age is 33, a figure Haig considers vital for economic sustainability, contrasting with the potentially concerning older averages in non-gas-dependent rural areas.

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Every club and organisation in town would have somebody who works, has worked, or has an immediate family member working in the industry.

However, this growth has not extended uniformly throughout the region. A short drive from Chinchilla to Tara reveals a different economic reality. Many shops on Tara's main street are vacant, for sale, or have recently sold. Census data indicates that while Chinchilla has experienced strong population growth over the past two decades, Tara's population has remained largely stagnant. The signs of the gas industry are still present along the roads leading to Tara, but the pervasive sense of prosperity diminishes, highlighting the uneven economic impact of the gas boom.

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Compare Chinchilla to a similar-sized rural town without gas, you'll see differences in median weekly income, median rents and particularly our average age.