:: About Mitchell

Located a comfortable day’s drive, 587 km west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, Mitchell is an affordable rural retreat for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of busy modern day living whilst not having to compromise on services and quality of life. It is the ideal place to live, work, raise a family, retire, invest or establish a business.

Mitchell is also the principal commercial centre for the adjoining townships of Amby 25 km to the east and Mungallala 45 km to the west and services a district population base of 1900 people.

:: Industry

Mitchell's economy has traditionally been based in agricultural production, with service industries, cypress pine milling, quarry materials and tourism contributing to community wealth. Like many of our counterparts our community recognizes the challenges people, industry and business face in an increasingly competitive and global environment. Through shared visions and a proactive and forward thinking approach our community continues to be positively shaped, responding to the myriad of challenges and opportunities which arise.

The total gross value of agricultural production in the Mitchell district for the financial year ending June 2001 was $57 million consisting of gross value of crops of $9.79 million, gross value livestock disposals of $40.1 million and gross value livestock products of $7.2 million. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2001 Census

The sustainable logging and processing of cypress pine provides employment opportunities and is a major contributor to our local economy. Due to its unique natural termite resistance properties this valuable natural resource is in high demand and as such the district has two processing mills located at Mitchell and Mungallala.

The community recognises the importance of tourism for our local economy and as such strongly supports and encourages tourism development. Mitchell is successfully marketed at the 'Gateway to the Outback' and our major visitor attractions include the Great Artesian Spa, Mount Moffatt National Park, Kenniff Courthouse, Bonus Downs Farmstay and Claravale Natural Wilderness Experience.

Mitchell offers infrastructure which is up-to-date and well maintained and designed to meet the requirements of business and residents.

Road - Mitchell is located on the Warrego Highway approximately halfway between Brisbane and Longreach and is easily accessed by a well maintained major highway and sealed road network. Greyhound Australia provides a twice daily coach service and freight services are provide several major road transport companies. A taxi service also operates in Mitchell.

Rail - Queensland Rail provides a regular freight and passenger service between Brisbane and Charleville which services Mitchell and creates with links to all major eastern seaboard centres.

Air - Mitchell has a modern and well maintained all weather bitumen landing strip with a small terminal with onsite amenities. Qantaslink provides a daily passenger service between Brisbane, Roma and Charleville.

Mitchell and district has Telstra Next G coverage, high speed broadband internet access, and satellite phone and internet coverage. Mitchell’s electrical infrastructure is supplied and maintained by Ergon Energy. Bottled gas is available from local businesses. The Mitchell community also supports alternative forms of energy production such as solar power.

Mitchell sources its water supply from the Great Artesian Basin drawn through two artesian bores. Whilst we have a plentiful water supply the community of Mitchell values this precious natural resource and is committed to its sustainable usage.

Land costs for both residential and industrial development in Mitchell and the surrounding district are comparatively low to that of other metropolitan and regional centres. Mitchell offers a range of affordable and quality housing options. At the 2006 Census, the median monthly housing loan repayment was $542, compared to $1,300 in Australia and the median weekly rent in Mitchell was $88, compared to $190 in Australia. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006 Census

Mitchell affords many employment opportunities and boasts a low unemployment rate. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) estimates that over the past two years the unemployment rate in Mitchell and the surrounding district has trended downward, and was just 2.3% in March quarter 2006, less than half the State's unemployment rate of 5.1%. Source: Queensland Government Treasury, Economic Profile.

:: Investment Opportunities

Mitchell offers a diverse range of business and investment opportunities which are further enhanced through the many community attributes, assets and infrastructure including -

• Locality & Accessibility - close to markets in South East Queensland, major rural centres, natural resource boom areas which can easily accessed by several major travel routes
• land availability and affordability including industrial and residential land
• housing affordability – owner occupied and rental
• primary industries (potential for value-added businesses)
• Access to telecommunication networks and services
• Tourism (potential for related businesses to cater for the increasing market growth)
• Trades and business services

:: Lifestyle

The vibrant rural community of Mitchell offers residents a wonderful lifestyle and a clean, safe and healthy environment.

Mitchell is serviced by a fortnightly community newsletter, The Booringa Bulletin, two regional newspapers and all other major newspapers available daily. Television broadcasting coverage includes ABC, Imparja, 7 Central. Radio station coverage includes ABC, Hot FM Roma and 4ZR.

Mitchell offers a broad range of retail outlets and services including four grocery/convenience stores, bakery, butcher, service stations, hardware, clothing outlets, newsagency, gifts, cafes, hotels, motels, hairdresser, beauty and massage therapist, pharmacy, laundromat, electrical goods, motor bikes and small engines, vet clinic, dog grooming, rural supplies and real estate agents.

In addition a range of trade and mechanical services are available locally including builders, cabinet makers, painter, electricians, engineering, plumbing, motor mechanic, tyre repairs, motor trimmers and panel beater.

In addition to its modern, well-equipped hospital service staffed by a team of qualified medial staff Mitchell also has a private medical centre. Local services are supported by a network of visiting professionals including physiotherapist, dietician, optometrist, psychologist and podiatrist. Age care services are provided by he Maranoa Retirement Village. Other available community care services include Meals on Wheels, respite care, Bluecare and Spiritus.

There are several state and non-government schools within the Mitchell district all offering quality educational programs from prep to year 10. A daily school bus service operates between Mitchell and Roma for students in Years 11 and 12. For those families who do not reside within close proximity to an education facility in-home tutoring is available through Distance Education.

A campus of the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE is located at Roma. Mitchell also offers video, tele-conferencing and public internet facilities to assist students who wish to undertake external education at tertiary institutions.

Mitchell supports a wide range of sporting and recreational activities. The Mitchell R.S.L. and Combined Sports Complex is a multi-purpose facility that caters for a diverse range of sports and recreational activities. Sporting activities offered in Mitchell include golf, rugby league, cricket, netball, rodeo, campdraft, lawn bowls, swimming, karate, athletics, fishing, pony club and horse racing. In addition there are numerous tracks for walking and cycling and four wheel driving trails.

Mitchell has a strong arts and cultural community with a number of community groups actively involved in developing the arts and cultural activities. The Maranoa Art Gallery has a diverse exhibition program showcasing works from local and nationally renowned artists. Other cultural activities and groups include Nalingu Aboriginal Corporation, Friends of the Gallery, Queensland Arts Council, Mitchell & District School of Dance, Line Dancing, Maranoa Gardening Group, and Booringa Heritage Group.