Rents forcing businesses to close

WANTED – someone who can afford $2500 a week to rent a family home in Dysart.

As rental prices continue to skyrocket in the mining town 340km north-west of Rockhampton, more and more businesses are being forced to close down.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland statistics revealed the average rental price tag of a simple three-bedroom and one-bathroom house was $1200.

It is the highest median rent in Queensland.

But Isaac regional Mayor Cedric Marshall said he knew of houses that were priced to rent at $1800 and $2500 a week.

He said people living in the area, but working outside the mining industry, were struggling to afford the high costs.

Cr Marshall said businesses had been forced to shut up shop permanently because they had been unable to keep employees in the area.

“It's anyone outside the mining industry, they can't afford it,” Cr Marshall said.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union district vice president Steve Pierce said he had received complaints from miners working in the town's three surrounding mines.

“There are no people living in the community, and for people who have got young children it's a lot of strain,” he said.

“There are not enough teachers for the children.”

According to Vision real estate agent Kerri McIntyre, Dysart has become an investor's dream. “We don't usually have too many properties left on the market,” she said.

“The mining companies lease them and the miners pay the rent.”

But the community may soon benefit from an extra 200 blocks of land, with Cr Marshall announcing council was processing an application for the lots.

AVERAGE WEEKLY RENT

Dysart......... $1200

Moranbah.... $773

Blackwater... $625

Source: REIQ