:: About Dalby

Situated one-hour from Toowoomba, two-and-a-half hours west of Brisbane and three hours from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Dalby sits at the crossroads of the Warrego, Moonie, Condamine and Bunya highways. This network of highways link Australia’s capital cities, making the town accessible by an extensive transport system.

With an estimated population of 11,000, Dalby is a popular regional centre for agriculture, manufacturing, industry, commerce and retail. Serviced by a large modern shopping centre and a range of speciality stores the town delivers a balanced lifestyle where daily conveniences are just minutes away.

Settled alongside the scenic Myall Creek, we take pride in offering a quality lifestyle in a clean and natural environment. Family-oriented leisure and recreational activities are well catered for with several parks, playgrounds, bikeways and walking trails.

To enjoy the benefits of relaxed country living with all the modern conveniences we invite you to discover Dalby. Enjoy Dalby’s welcoming country hospitality, vibrant business community and well-serviced amenities nestled at the centre of Queensland’s beautiful Darling Downs.

:: Industry

Dalby's economic forecast looks bright as infrastructure developments, a growing resource sector and population increases combine to promote continued business growth. The emergence of new industries is adding greater diversity to a region already well established as a major manufacturing and agricultural centre.

The Dalby district enjoys economic stability thanks to a diversity of rural enterprises developed over many years. Dalby has emerged as a strategic regional centre for receiving and marketing a large proportion of Queensland's thriving agricultural and livestock production. Local agribusiness has diversified to seize emerging opportunities in the production of ethanol and hemp. Our modern farmers are known for their optimistic business approach and willingness to embrace new research, new technology and new practices. As a result the region has developed a reputation for being a leader in advanced farming practices.

Booming mining and natural gas extraction industries have placed a multibillion dollar industry on Dalby's doorstep with the town now poised to become one of Queensland's major energy suppliers. Abundant natural gas and thermal coal reserves are underpinning the region’s economic strength and driving large-scale infrastructure developments including the $1.2 billion Kogan Creek Power Station, $1.3 billion Origin Energy 630MW gas-fired power station, two smaller gas-fired power stations and multiple coal seam gas projects. Ergon Energy is planning a $9 million refurbishment of the central Dalby substation, an ethanol plant is underway, and Liquegas plans to build a liquified natural gas plant at Daandine. Completion of the Surat Basin Rail project in 2011 will result in the timely expansion of the region's freight infrastructure providing direct access to the Gladstone Port.

Local building and manufacturing industries continue to put Dalby on the map, both nationally and internationally, with innovative and award-winning products. A recognised leader in the delivery of innovative water solutions, Dalby’s desalination plant is producing a reliable base water supply. In an Australian first, Council plans to construct a second plant to treat coal seam methane by-water.

Adding to the town's appeal is a convenient country lifestyle, ready supply of town water and improved town facilities including a major new shopping complex, expanding health facilities and a $3.6 million events centre. Although the median house price has risen substantially in the past few years to approximately $260,000, prices remain below the norm of major urban centres while home loan and rent affordability come in under the Queensland average.

:: Investment Opportunities

Underpinned by its agricultural productivity, manufacturing and abundant natural gas and thermal coal reserves, Dalby is experiencing an economic boom.

A burgeoning retail sector has been boosted by recent development of new retail and industrial precincts. Retail space is expected to become even more valuable when the CBD project is completed by Council while new retail space will come on to the market in 2008 with the release of small retail spaces on the picturesque Myall Creek. Building development approval values have increased sharply in the past three years to well over $30 million per annum.

The dynamic of business and employment is rapidly changing through increased expansion and development of the Surat Energy Province. Significant decreases in agricultural employment and subsequent increases in mining and construction allude to the growing significance of the Surat Energy Resources Province to the area. Indirectly affected by this activity, employment levels in real estate, administration, retail and manufacturing have all increased by over 20% in the past ten years. The unemployment rate (1.8%) remains well below that of Queensland (2.9%) as employers seek to retain and reward existing employees as part of a continuing push to attract skilled workers to the area.

Amalgamation of six Councils to form the Dalby Regional Council is well underway. Based in Dalby, Council has a workforce of over 600 persons, making it one of the largest in Queensland. A marked increase in capability and capacity are expected to deliver improved services and higher investment in community infrastructure. Retaining much of the previous Council's expertise, Dalby Regional Council will be charged with sustainable development of the Surat Energy Resources Province and management of the impacts and opportunities arising from such development.

Add to these, continuing subdivision of land for housing, construction of a $100m ethanol plant, construction of 50,000 head feedlot and billions of dollars proposed for investment in energy projects in the next 20 years, the implications and opportunities for Dalby's economy are immense.

:: Lifestyle

With comprehensive business and retail sectors, Dalby is positioned as a regional shopping destination. That appeal was recently boosted with the completion of the $55 million Dalby Shoppingworld complex in the heart of the CBD, adding further choice and variety to the local retail mix. Professional services are also well catered for with established legal, financial and medical practices as well as major banking institutions.

To keep pace with the needs of the region's growing population, 2008 has seen Dalby Hospital expand its physical facilities and range of services with a $10 million refurbishment. The state-of-the-art upgrade will add to the hospital's existing child, maternity, medical, surgical, accident and emergency, outpatients, pathology and palliative care facilities.

Adding to this comprehensive range of public services is a selection of private medical practices as well as a range of allied health services including dietetics, occupational therapy, pathology, pharmaceutical, physiotherapy, radiography, speech pathology, social work, mental health, chiropractic, optometry and dental.

In Dalby the education and learning opportunities available locally don't stop after high school. Dalby has a healthy school sector, with the choice of either state or private education including four primary schools and three secondary schools. And for the little ones, take your pick from over 10 early childhood learning centres and day care centres situated across district.

The Australian Agricultural College Dalby Campus offers tertiary courses specialising in agribusiness, new farming technologies, cutting edge training techniques and the latest agricultural training facilities. The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Dalby campus provides certificate and diploma courses as well as apprenticeships and traineeships. And for the active elderly who view developing new skills as a lifelong project, the University of the Third Age (U3A) maintains a motto of ‘Friendship and Fulfilment’ delivering a huge range of activities designed to keep retirees fit, active and having fun.

Dalby provides the perfect environment to get active with plenty of open space, facilities close at hand, and a strong community-level sporting culture. For those who enjoy the thrill of competition, each football code has a keen club following and over the years a number of local players have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia.

In summer cricket is keenly contested and tennis is popular all year round with junior tournaments attracting players from across the Downs. Netball is a popular female sport in Dalby with a total of 38 teams drawn from a wide area. The Dalby and District Tennis Association has 14 cushioned hard courts, making it one of the largest hard court tennis facilities in Queensland. The Dalby Golf Club, widely regarded as the best 18 hole golf course west of the range, regularly plays host to touring professionals with events such as the Dalby Senior Pro-am drawing players from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand.

The Dalby PCYC offers a wide range of social outings and sporting activities to suit children and adults alike. Gymnastics has a strong following and experienced instructors provide classes in boxing and karate. Dalby has two well-equipped gyms that open each day and offer a range of fitness classes throughout the week.

Dalby has a proud history of successful and innovative volunteer groups. There are around 300 volunteer groups delivering a wide range of support services across many sectors of the local community including emergency services, community organisations, business & industry groups and social, cultural and sporting committees.

Dalby's indigenous community is supported by a network of specialist community services including Bungeeba Community Centre, Murrumba Aboriginal Housing Company and Goondir Health Services. Community projects currently being planned include a multimillion dollar Goondir Health Centre as well as a youth centre for the facilitation of indigenous arts and culture.

The Myall Youth and Community Network Centre is a not-for-profit facility available for community activities and home to a number of valuable community programs. The centre is a venue for unlimited community activities with a forum room for up to 80 people, a children's play area, a chapel, and video conferencing facilities. Downs Industry Schools Co-op (DISCO) is a regular support program that offers free support for teenagers and their parents especially in the area of career choice. Other services operating out of the Community Networking Centre include the Dalby Men's Group, the St Joseph's Play Group, the Dalby Seniors and Disabled Bus Service, and the Dalby Community Bus.

Dalby's Arts Centre is home to fine arts enthusiasts who direct their creative energies into a variety of artistic mediums. The Dalby Art Group meets weekly and enjoys workshops by quest tutors as well as on-site painting trips. Writers, singers, performers and other artists can rest assured their particular outlet is well catered for across the district. Forum and Toastmasters offer opportunities to practise the art of public speaking in friendly and supportive surroundings or broaden your audience, Dalby Community Radio is always looking for talented announcers.

The local art gallery is a place that draws together the regional arts community and showcases a wide array of artistic endeavour. The Dalby Regional Art Gallery hosts year-round exhibitions for local and visiting art collections across many mediums from photography to quilting.

The Dalby region also boasts some unique places of environmental beauty such as the naturally occurring Lake Broadwater - home to an array of native birds and wildlife - and the majestic Bunya Mountains reserve with its cool rainforest walks, waterfalls and world renowned Bunya Pines. The Bunyas is a popular place to escape the summer heat (the temperature averages 10 degrees cooler). While during the winter months there's no better way to spend the weekend than beside an open fire in a mountain retreat. There's also a myriad of walking trails with stunning vistas, horse drawn tours, native wallabies and colourful birds.