Residents suffering in boom
LOW to middle income earners in towns meant to be relishing in the resources boom are in reality suffering from what has been described as the "dark side" of the mining boom.
Not surprisingly, Gladstone is at the top of the list.
The 2012 Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot for central Queensland, to be released today, shows rental prices in hubs like Gladstone are sky-rocketing, leaving long-time locals, working families and single parents in its wake.
Gladstone was found to be the least affordable in central Queensland to those on low incomes, with houses and townhouses fetching a median advertised price of $707 a week.
Apartments were marginally cheaper with a weekly average rent of $536.
Even inner city Brisbane residents were $200 a week in rent better off than those in Gladstone.
Gladstone prices are nearly double the Rockhampton median weekly rents, which were $375 for houses and townhouses and $275 a week for apartments.
