We were in Mackay 2 years ago working on the cane and went for a drive to Moranbah, couldn't believe how busy it was and looking in real estate offices it was unbelievable, makes you wonder how all those people that paid the big prices to buy homes will end up financially..............not good I imagine, I suppose it is a true case of false economy. Makes you wonder just who made all the huge dollars during the boom time and how much stayed in this country.
not a nice scenario for the town is it , seeing that the real estate agent has 6 rentals means she hasn't done too bad , but for others it seems a nightmare,
Now they just might start to realise that GN's are a pretty constant resource.
If we were made welcome perhaps we would be buying the bread/cakes/pies and the fuel, newspapers and magazines
How many towns like this in Australia that tried to suck as much as they could from mining to the detriment of all other consumer groups(like us) will now have to suck up to us to try and get us to "please come visit" we need you.
I will wait and see.
frank
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Sadly it is not just mining towns that are struggling. A little town we lived in has lost it's supermarkets because of the local aged care facility having to 'outsource'. It used to have 2 and a newsagents and takeaway. Now it has none. Closest groceries 40km away (except for a few items in 2 shops). Feel sad for all country towns that have to 're-invent' themselves. But it can be done.
If you think Moranbah is bad spare a thought for Clermont.
We were touring through the region a month ago, and I gotta tell ya, that there were people and cars everywhere in Moranbah.
But it appears that everyone was talking gloom and doom. Now we all know that the good times do not last forever. Apparently there are not that many " Chipmunks" in these mining areas. The Chipmunks, know that if they do not plan for the bad times ( winter) they can not survive. Smarter the the mining towns business.
But it will recover, but only the fittest will be there to cash in on the next boom.
T here are still gold ( oops) coal in them there plains.
Jay&Dee
The worst thing for those who bought real estate, either for themselves to live in or as rentals, is they paid a million dollars, and still have mortgage payments to make to the bank, yet the house might be valued at $250 now.
If such people declare bankruptcy it wouldn't help the town either.
