Moranbah
Moranbah
Moranbah: the low down |
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By Nicky Way You know you've arrived in Moranbah when you reach the Big Red Rhino Bucket at the town's entrance. The bucket is part of the Federation Walk, a one-kilometre nature stroll that was four years in the making. The short walk will take you past Grosvenor Creek and get you up close and personal with some of the local wildlife. Located 194km south-west of Mackay, Moranbah was created specifically to house mine workers.
Moranbah has its own accountancy, retail, education, health, building, construction and real estate businesses, with other industries in the area including beef and grain. The downside of this population diversity is the cost of non-mine owned accommodation. It's getting beyond the reach of average workers and even beyond some business owners and their families. When I last checked, newish five bedroom houses were renting for $3200 a week and a two-bedroom duplex for $1400. If you want to buy a place, you’re looking at an average price of $595,000 (realestate.com), with many properties priced well above that. Even if you have that sort of money to buy or rent, you'll need to be quick because properties move very fast. As of late 2011, the town is surrounded by mining leases, but the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) and Isaac Council are working to fast-track the release of land to help ease the housing shortage. Moranbah is home to workers from the Broadmeadow, Goonyella Riverside and Peak Downs mines, all owned by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), as well as Anglo American Coal Australia’s Moranbah North and several other smaller mines. Peabody Energy also operates Millenium and Goonyella mines in the area, and more new mines are due to start in 2012. Arrow Energy also has a large gas project close to the town, and Dyno Nobel has committed to most of its workers and families living in Moranbah with the opening of its Nitro Plant. If you’re working for the mines, accommodation is not as expensive. Most mines provide subsidised housing for employees; ranging from a financial contribution towards your rent or mortgage, through to fully-subsidised housing. Moranbah also has a range of temporary accommodation, from caravan parks to hotel/motel style rooms and self-contained units. The health and education sectors are well represented, but with the population rapidly increasing there can be a long wait to get into childcare or to see a medical practitioner. Health facilities include hospital, chiropractor, medical practices, dentist, physiotherapist, psychologists (visiting), optometrists and pharmacies. Education services include two primary schools and a high school, C & K Moranbah, Moranbah Community Kindergarten and Simply Sunshine. The town square has been revamped and includes a water feature, new children’s play area and an interactive musical feature as well as a range of shops including women’s boutiques, cafés, homewares, jewellery, electrical, post office, newsagency, sports shop, furniture, toys and others. A second shopping precinct is located behind the square, with retailers including Target Country, Rockmans, Priceline Pharmacy and Coles (anecdotally said to be one of the largest in
Other shops and services include High Country Enterprises (Mitre 10), A Kitchen Centre, NAB, ANZ, BOQ, Big Sky Credit Union. Moranbah probably boasts some of the best facilities of any mining town in CQ, including a skate park, library, public swimming pool (currently being revamped with $5.5M water park and other facilities), rugby league, AFL, hockey, tennis, off-road racing, motocross, BMX club, golf, library and the Coalface Art Gallery. A testament to the great sporting facilities are the famous rugby exports born and bred in Moranbah, including Josh Hannay and Clinton Schifcofske. The town also has a great range of community events including the annual rodeo, May Day, mine picnics and monthly markets. And all issues and events are well publicised in the fortnightly newsletter The Moranbah Messenger, published by Moranbah District Support Services. With a decent-sized population, a good mix of mining and private enterprise and a wide range of facilities, the residents have a lot to smile about. And smile they do - after all, Moranbah was voted Ergon Energy’s Friendliest Town! Useful links:
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"My family moved to the town of
- Jennifer Taylor, wife and mum to one Ever lived in Moranbah? Tell us what you think... |
Unlike other Central Queensland (CQ) towns like Tieri and Glenden, though, the town’s population of around 10,000-odd permanent and temporary residents has grown to embrace private enterprise and business. In fact, so much so that the Moranbah Traders' Association now has more than 64 members.