Central Queensland's highest earning towns

By Liam Butterworth

COAL really does pay well for Central Queensland mining communities, with towns like Dysart, Tieri and Middlemount home to some of the highest average pays in the state.

The Australian Tax Office’s taxation statistics for 2007-2008, released on Wednesday, show Tieri has the second-highest average pay rate in Queensland.

The average Tieri taxpayer earns $82,728 per year – more than leafy Brisbane suburbs Chapel Hill, Kenmore and St Lucia.Brisbane suburbs Ascot and Hamilton had the state’s highest-earning postcode, with a mean taxable income of $101,257.

Dysart residents are also in the money, placing eighth on the state’s highest average earnings list, with a salary of $74,989 per annum.

Middlemount follows one spot behind in ninth on the list, with an average annual income of $74,955.

The three Central Queensland towns to make the list are all home to coal mines.

Councillor Peter Maguire, mayor of the Central Highlands Regional Council, said the high pays reflected the number of opportunities available in the Central Highlands.

He said Tieri’s connection with the coal mines meant it often made it on the highest average earner lists. “There’s a lot of opportunities for people here and it’s one of the advantages for families living here,” he said. “It shows you don’t need to live in the Ascots of Brisbane to earn some money.”

Average Pays

Central Queensland

Tieri (4709) - $82,728

Dysart (4745) - $74,989

Middlemount (4746) - $74,955

Rockhampton (4700) - $51,835

North Rockhampton (4701) - $48,349

Gladstone (4680) - $51,750

Emerald (4720) - $62,425

State’s Best

Ascot/ Hamilton (4007) - $101,257

Tieri (4709) - $82,728

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