Tired of the rat race? Running on empty? Want more space? Want more time for yourself?

Central Western Outback Queensland can offer you a new quality of life. A relaxed pace, great people, security, free open spaces, no traffic jams, a healthy environment and all the services and infrastructure you expect in order to make your life comfortable.

You may think ‘But there’s nothing there!’ However, if you venture out to investigate you’ll be astounded at the opportunities on offer – career, social, cultural, educational, and financial.

Central Western Outback Queensland incorporates seven local governments, covering 22 per cent of the State of Queensland. It is a diverse and dynamic landscape weaving together open grass plains, native bushland, and pristine waterways flowing down to red sand dunes in the south-west corner. It is an ever-changing canvas that can be dry some of the time, but lush just as often.

To many, the most endearing quality of Central Western Outback Queensland is the spirit of the place and the people. It cannot truly be understood until experienced. The minute you walk into life in Central Western Outback Queensland you will feel welcome and at home. Perhaps the region can best be described in terms of the personality traits of its people: a dry sense of humour; a keen sense of fun; welcoming and friendly; genuine, honest, fair and gutsy.

Why, you may ask, would you ever want to live in Central Western Outback Queensland? The 12,400 people who have chosen this area as their home say they love it because of the friendly down-to-earth people, the relaxed lifestyle, the fantastic social life, the wide open spaces topped with that big sky – and it’s a safe place to raise a family.

Strong community spirit and a low crime rate combine to ensure a safe environment and a high quality of life, whether you’re raising a family, single or looking to retire.

Contemplating a career move?

Do you have a perception that career opportunities are limited in small country towns? On the contrary, talent is quickly noticed and nurtured in small communities. Usually you will have the opportunity to gain a far broader and deeper level of experience in professional and trade positions in Central Western Outback Queensland. Many young skilled trade and professional people use the region as a stepping stone. It is renowned as a training ground, and the region is proud of that solid reputation.

Home on the range

How are metropolitan real estate values aff ecting you? If you are trying to buy into the market, the fi nancial and personal stresses are enormous. If you own your property it may be an ideal time to take advantage of the capital gain you can achieve through buying into a cheaper market in Central Western Outback Queensland, retaining profit for a retirement nest egg or further investment.

You may have the perception that the cost of living is higher in the region. In fact, the price of real estate is far less expensive, but still provides excellent value and a good standard of living. Securing a 25-acre block with a rural lifestyle is still a reality in Central Western Outback Queensland.

Housing prices vary across the region from $80,000 to $400,000, with rental accommodation similarly variable. But, most importantly, it is affordable.

Services

You will be surprised by the quality and variety of services available across the region. There are beautiful and unique shops off ering a wide variety of products. While it does not off er the retail experiences of the city, the region off ers all the essentials and more, and most residents would argue that this environment helps with money management and stretching the family budget!

Education

In the region’s larger centres, education is available from pre-school up to Grade 12. In the smaller communities, secondary school students are required to continue their study through the Longreach School of Distance Education or by attending a boarding school.

Students attending small schools are not disadvantaged. On the contrary, the region’s schools are well resourced and often have smaller class sizes, making for a more personalised education.

Health Services

As many of the region’s residents will tell you, the healthy environment, easy access to excellent recreational and sporting facilities, and quality of life enhance opportunities for good health and wellbeing. Hospitals and multi-functional facilities across the region provide a high level of care and are staff ed by experienced health practitioners.

Central Western Outback Queensland has it all, and at a price you can afford.

More information
www.blackall.qld.gov.au
www.tambo.qld.gov.au
www.longreach.qld.gov.au
www.barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au
www.barcoo.qld.gov.au
www.winton.qld.gov.au
www.diamantina.qld.gov.au
www.boulia.qld.gov.au
www.rapad.com.au

I knew I wanted to move to Eumundi when…my husband Trent and I sat in a cafe overlooking the bustling Eumundi markets. We both had the realisation that we could make this Queensland town (with its big, wide main street, majestic fi g trees, art galleries and restaurants, and truly incredible markets) our home. After soaking up more of the market vibe, we strolled past a real estate agent’s window and spied a quaint little original Queenslander worker’s cottage for sale. It called out to us. That was 1999. It’s well and truly our home town now.

The biggest shock to the system was… getting used to the hoards of tourists that invaded our sleepy-ish town every Saturday and Wednesday for the markets. It was a shock, but a good shock. People really do travel from far and wide to visit our picturesque little town – Eumundi is famous for its markets (oh, and for the fact that both Pat Rafter and Kevin Rudd went to school here). Realising what a lively market community it really was, I joined the market scene myself eight years ago.

One thing I’ve learned from the locals is… that beers aren’t ordered in schooners and middys. In Queensland, they’re pots – important local info to know in a town with two great old Queensland-style pubs: The Imperial Hotel and Joe’s Waterhole.

An average day for me involves… walking into town to take our kids to school, a coffee with a pal at one of our many fabulous cafes (we are spoilt: Treefellas, Café Berkelouw, Food@ Eumundi to name a few), some work in my studio to make stock for the markets, and invariably an after-school play in the park, swim at the Eumundi Aquatic Centre or a quick drive to Noosa for a splash in the ocean.

One surprising thing about life in a town with a population of less than 1,000(ish) is… that we have no supermarket, although funnily enough we all seem to get by just fine without one. We have a great little general store (known as BP Bobs, because Bob also sells petrol), two bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, an organic fruit and vegie shop, a newsagent and the pubs – not to mention the many cafes and restaurants and various other retailers, nor the markets. And supermarkets aren’t that far away; it’s not even a 10 minute drive to nearby Cooroy and only a smidge more than that to Noosa.

It makes me sad when I see (in Eumundi)… the onset of development, with new housing estates on the edge of town. I guess it’s inevitable, but I just hope the historic charm and authenticity of the town remains for years to come.

If you come here to visit you can’t to miss… a meal at Modern Primitive Restaurant – in the Old Bakery building on Memorial Drive. Chef Steve and his wife Jo create works of art for the tastebuds. They use organic and free range produce, all sourced locally, and the menu changes from week to week.

The Berkelouw Book Barn in Eumundi (a wonderful world of books new and old) is also a must see for book buff s. It’s also right in the heart of town on Memorial Drive.

And if you’re on the Sunshine Coast in September, visit Eumundi for the Australian Body Art Carnivale (weekend of September 12 in 2009).

Something that deeply affected me in our new life was… the realisation of the importance of community. Trent and I wish we had extended family close by, but it’s not to be (we’re not…

For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.

Independent retirement living does not require you to live abandoned and alone in suburbia. You can live in a secure environment and retain your independence. Retirement villages are designed to enable retirees to make the most of their independence and time and are worth keeping in mind.

What do you look for?

Security can include personal protection and freedom, property protection, response in an emergency, and confi dence in the fi nancial and management capacity of the operator of your chosen complex.

Living standards are very much dependent upon affordability. However, your living accommodation should provide a level of quality and comfort that is good value for money. Pride and contentment will result from having a home in which you feel happy to live.

Privacy and independence are important to everyone. Few people like to feel they cannot make decisions or care for themselves. Look for features that ensure you can control your privacy and independence.

Activities and facilities available at retirement villages vary. They may focus on care and health, or may be geared to recreation and lifestyle activities. The place that suits you best will have features that match your interests and needs.

Proximity to services can make such a diff erence to everyday living. Think ahead and don’t overlook your reliance on shopping, medical, transport and professional services. Satisfy yourself that where you live has good access to the services you need now and in the future.

for more information:

www.renaissancerl.com.au

p: 07 3820 7700

As a 15-year old, Peter Meyer’s imagination was captured by Out of Africa, the Hollywood adaptation of Karen Blixen’s tale of colonial Kenya. In particular, he was inspired by the portrayal of the safari-leading big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton. It may seem like a rather tenuous connection to draw, but Meyer couldn’t help thinking of Hatton when he set out on his own real life adventure in 1996, swapping life in Brisbane for a job as an eco-ranger at the Kingfi sher Bay Resort on Queensland’s worldheritage- listed Fraser Island.

Having graduated from Griffi th University in 1995 with degrees in ecology and biochemistry, Peter had until then been a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He helped out with his father’s engineering business, worked at a delicatessen and also dabbled in roof installation. Nothing felt quite right. But when somebody told him about the work of the eco-rangers at Kingfi sher Bay, something clicked. “Straight away I thought ‘that’s what I want to do’,” Peter recalls. “I didn’t actually realise there were jobs like that in the world. I liked the idea of teaching people about the environment and I felt that this was certainly the best way I could do it.”

While his initial overtures to the rangers department were fruitless, persistence paid off . By the start of 1996, a part-time opportunity allowed Peter to work his way into a full-time role. His life on Fraser Island involved escorting visitors on guided tours showcasing the Island’s beauty. With about 1,500 kilometres of….

For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.

For more about Peter Meyer’s photography, visit: www.livinggallery.com.au

www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au

The Fraser Coast is a growing region with a lifestyle that is hard to match.

But what is it that feels so good about living, visiting, playing and doing business on the Fraser Coast?

Is it the clean white beaches and the fishing, boating and marine life of Hervey Bay; the pure paradise of Fraser Island with its towering rainforests; the glorious parklands and century old streetscapes of Maryborough; or the quaint country towns, charming locals, historic pubs, and natural wonders of Tiaro and the rural hinterland?

Could it be the relaxed, friendly and affordable lifestyle and the strong sense of welcome and belonging? Or is it the wealth of business opportunities and investment potential?

The answer is all of the above – our Fraser Coast is the complete package.

The region figures prominently in the ‘regions to watch’ circulated by property investment gurus.

The region already sustains a growing skilled workforce in industries including tourism, aviation, rail (manufacture of rolling stock and locomotives), heavy engineering, mining equipment manufacture, sugar, forestry, timber milling, agriculture and marine industries, boat building and fishing.

Agriculture is still a huge part of the regional economy. The largest crop is sugar cane with 17,000 hectares under production followed by pineapples and beef cattle.

One of the region’s biggest employers, Downer EDI Rail, has just undergone a $10 million expansion of its engineering facilities in Maryborough to cope with the growing demand for trains.

The company employs 400 staff in Maryborough, with numbers working on the shop floor increasing by 20% in 2008, driven up by increasing demand for the company’s services.

The Fraser Coast has road, rail and air transport infrastructure which connects it to all capital cities and potential international markets through the Port at Bundaberg as well as daily flights to Brisbane and Sydney.

Gas has been piped to most of the industrial estates, major population areas and towns. The water supply has doubled in size with a $26 million upgrade of Lenthall Dam and $100 million is being injected into the district’s power supply.

The new power lines to the region will also improve telecommunications, especially broadband internet access, linking the Fraser Coast to the world.

Under a deal between Ergon Energy, the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s telecommunications company, Widelinx, and the University of Southern Queensland Fraser Coast Campus, residents and business will have access to a new fibre-optic cable link that is being strung with the power lines.

The Fraser Coast is poised to become the premier industrial precinct along the east coast. It offers established and emerging businesses access to prime fully-serviced industrial land throughout the two major centres of Maryborough and Hervey Bay at significantly lower rates per square metre than the state’s capital, Brisbane.

To compliment the range of industrial parks across the region the Council is backing the development of the Port of Maryborough Industrial Park.

The 65-hectare development on the banks of the Mary River will provide world-class facilities for the manufacture of boats and light ships, marine components; the repair of vessels and the provision of a broad range of marine services.

Veteran developer and one of Queensland’s wealthiest men Kevin Seymour has plenty of faith in the future of the Fraser Coast.

His consortium of Watpac and the Seymour group is heading up the biggest project on region’s horizon – the $800 million development of the Urangan Harbour and surrounding marina in Hervey Bay.

It will give the region the largest marina capacity north of Brisbane.

The region boasts an annual population growth of more than 2% and the population is predicted to reach 130,000 by 2026 (Source: ABS 2007, Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation 2007).

Unlike many other fast growth areas the Fraser Coast provides a stable workforce.

The growth has led to the development of service industries. Already first class educational institutions, including private schools, a university, and public and private health services with access to state-of-the-art technology, have been established on the Fraser Coast.

The population growth has not been confined to retirees looking for a Sea Change. Lots of young families have moved to the area, enough to fill 60 schools (government and private and alternative training).

Business is vibrant – and so is the lifestyle. The Fraser Coast offers quality master-planned housing options, entertainment, shopping and major retail centres, first class community amenities, and of course, direct access to the World-Heritage listed Fraser Island.

The only thing the region lacks is congestion, pollution and bad attitude.

To find out more about the Fraser Coast have a look at: www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au,
www.frasercoastevents.com.au,
www.frasercoastbiz.com.au
www.frasercoastjobs.com.au