Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley labour force drops by 4000 workers, unemployment largely unchanged in new statistics

A sudden drop in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley’s workforce in 12 months has the region’s leaders posing why, and suggesting how it can be rectified.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl and Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio.

One out of 20 workers in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley left the region over the past 12 months, in a startling statistic that has economic leaders calling for reforms.

New labour data from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office showed the region’s workforce, which includes the greater Toowoomba area and the Lockyer Valley, was 70,600 people in March.

The figure represents a 5.5 per cent drop from March 2021, worth roughly 4100 workers.

Toowoomba’s workforce decrease was the most severe of any statistical area in Queensland for the time period surveyed.

Despite this, the region’s unemployment only increased slightly to 5.3 per cent, and youth unemployment actually fell to 11.4 per cent.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio, who did not respond in time for print deadline, said the figures could be due to a variety of factors.

“While it is difficult to definitively pinpoint the exact causes behind the statistical measurements, it could be linked to specific major projects, particularly in the construction sector and the effects of flooding on seasonal workers, especially in the Lockyer Valley,” he said in a statement.

“The most recent downturn could reflect the end of some bigger projects, possibly including the Wellcamp Quarantine facility.

“Extensive flooding across the Lockyer Valley and TRC in February and March this year could further explain the latest change in employment recorded in March 2022. It could indicate people have retired, or joined the nation-wide movement in employment, including working remotely.

“On a positive note, the number of people in the Toowoomba Region receiving Jobseeker or Youth Allowance payments has decreased by more than 2000 in 12 months to March 2022.”

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl suggested the shortfall was being created by people actually leaving the region to find work elsewhere, something he said needed to be rectified.

“We know demand for staff is high in the region and will continue to rise with a pipeline of major developments that will be seeking a workforce,” he said.

“This means a decrease in employed persons figures are very concerning with the potential to have a major impact on business sustainability, growth, and city investment.

“Several factors may be at play here including increased government benefits, inability to find a house to live in, better wages elsewhere in similar industries, investment in technology, migration from Toowoomba to other places, and other regions capitalising on the use of Toowoomba’s talent by working remotely.

“I am anxious that if these figures turn into a trend, it will be detrimental to local business and the city in general.”

The University of Southern Queensland’s Dr Jennifer Luke said Covid-19 had provided people with an opportunity to reassess their careers.

“Employees are becoming more selective in their job searching, seeking a work/life balance when investigating job options,” she said.

“There could be skill shortages across industries and trades is occurring due to retirement of workers and not enough uptake on training such as apprenticeships.

“A strong economy needs a strong skilled workforce, to harness the skills already out there in the community as well as build the future workforce.

“Need further support for mature age workers (close to retirement or re-engage from retirement) who wish to continue working.”