Charleville jobs boom leads to rental housing crisis

Capital city investors have been urged to consider buying a home in western Queensland as a jobs boom threatens to leave many workers on the street.

The expansion of Australia’s first purpose-built goat abattoir at Charleville has created a housing crisis in the regional town with fears the low number of rental properties could hold back an anticipated jobs boom.

Sixty new jobs will be created over the next 12 months when Western Meat Exporters opens the $9m expansion to its Charleville abattoir – but a lack of rental housing is threatening to make recruitment difficult.

It has prompted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who visited the rural town last month, to urge capital city investors to consider buying rental properties in western Queensland.

Sixty new jobs will be created when Western Meat Exporters opens its $9m abattoir expansion.

Senator Hanson said it was a “perfect opportunity” for city investors to support a rural

community where house prices start from as little as $80,000.

“There are plenty of homes for sale but none to rent – and when you consider the return versus the outlay, this is something all serious investors should speak to their financial adviser about,” she said.

More than 3000 residents call Charleville home, while more than 70,000 tourists visit the township each year.

According to realestate.com.au, the median house price in Charleville is $110,750 while rental return averages $210 per week.

Shire of Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge said COVID-19 had provided a good opportunity for people to leave the city for the bush.

Senator Pauline Hanson has called for capital city investors to consider buying a home in the bush. Picture: Matt Taylor

He said Charleville, which continued to fight a drought, would have an optimistic future if people were prepared to invest in the west.

“The biggest issue in regional Queensland is housing – we’ve got about 60 houses on the books to sell but unfortunately our rental market is quite low,” he said.

“There is a huge market for investment and a huge market for people to move to a regional area and spend more time with the kids.”

Senator Hanson encouraged buyers to invest in the rising regions of Charleville and Roma.

“When banks are providing returns of less than 0.5 percent on term deposits, this is by far a

better option for people to consider,” she said.

The Charleville jobs boom is set to peak by March 2022.