Gympie on struggle street
DREADING another trip to the grocery store fearing a hole will be burnt into the back pocket?
Gympie
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DREADING another trip to the grocery store fearing a hole will be burnt into the back pocket?
New statistics from the Queensland Government's Statistician's Office reveal the cost of living is biting hard in regional areas with basic grocery items costing more than in greater Brisbane.
State-wide, the cost of living varies 33% and with no apparent rhyme or reason, residents caught in the crossfire are left trying to make ends meet.
In Gympie, the scenario is bittersweet. The cost of housing in Gympie and surrounding areas is relatively cheaper than elsewhere in the state, but life's other necessities remain a financial drain.
While housing may be cheaper in the Gympie region, this is tarnished by Wide Bay's high unemployment rate (among the highest of all federal electorates) making full-time work difficult to source.
Salvation Army Gympie's Gordon Adams was unsurprised yesterday by the community's struggles.
Mr Adams said the charity had seen a 30% increase in clients this year and more lower income brackets were starting to fall victim to living struggles - not just the lowest of socio-economic denominations.
"The Housing Commission is sending a lot of people here with just a key to the house but these people have nothing else and come to us needing furniture and other basics," the charity worker said.
Of all the clients seeking help, 85% are in need of food.
"We have a set budget from Federal Government funding and it can be heartbreaking deciding who has to miss out trying to stretch limited resources," Mr Adams said.
The Salvation Army's battle to meet the demand for its services is further hampered by a decease in funding of 20% at a time when its client base has increased 40%.
Make a donation at Gympie's Salvation Army at 42 Stumm Rd, Southside.
Cost of Living
Weipa 22.5% more expensive than Brisbane
Gatton 10% less expensive than Brisbane
Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redland local government areas are indexed at 100 and considered the baseline
13.2% variation for alcohol and cigarette state-wide
Insurance cost variation 18% state-wide
Originally published as Gympie on struggle street
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