HERVEY Bay, renowned for its tranquil beauty and quality lifestyle, is also challenged by the cost of living as the nation’s population lives faces each day. Despite the attractive environment and peaceful coastline, we enjoy outside the higher populated cities, the region grapples with challenges related to affordability, impacting its residents everyday lives.
From housing to healthcare, education to groceries, Australians face a myriad of expenses that apply strain to household budgets.
Yet, Hervey Bay provides a very positive outlook of growth in a recognised area of more affordability.
This section delves into the various facets of the cost of living issues in our region and explores potential solutions our local community can turn to for support and relief.
One of the most pressing concerns for all Australians is the skyrocketing cost of housing. Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne consistently rank among the world’s most expensive places to live.
The surge in property prices has made homeownership increasingly unattainable for many, particularly younger generations. Renting, too, has become prohibitively expensive, with rental costs consuming a significant portion of household incomes.
Hervey Bay has experienced an unprecedented increase in housing prices and record low levels of rental availabilities. Yet, it is nationally recognised for its affordability and the positive outlook the sector conveys.
Factors contributing to the housing affordability crisis in Hervey Bay include increased pressure on the lack of housing supply, higher population growth rates, low wage growth relative to housing costs, and speculative investment in the property market.
Government initiatives such as first-home buyer grants and affordable housing schemes have provided some relief, but more comprehensive reforms are needed to address this systemic issue.
The Fraser Coast Property Industry Association (FCPIA) have stated it requires a multi-faceted approach to tackle the affordability of housing.
Beyond housing, Hervey Bay residents face escalating costs for essential services such as electricity, water, and telecommunications. Rising utility bills strain household budgets, particularly for low-income families and individuals on fixed incomes.
Governments continue to investigate relief options for residents to reduce their household expenses.
The Fraser Coast Regional Council has implemented initiatives to assist ratepayers that address our cost of living expenses through various support programs and free activities.
The Queensland government has regularly commented on the challenges for the state in relation to the cost of living and our local member, Adrian Tantari, has stated his commitment “to ensure household bills are lowered for Hervey Bay families.”
Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental concern for most Australians.
While Hervey Bay experiences strong growth in local health services and is now the highest employer sector on the Fraser Coast, out-of-pocket expenses for medications, specialist consultations, and more specific services can be significant.
Transportation costs, that includes vehicle maintenance and increasing fuel prices, add to the burden of the cost of living in Hervey Bay.
The cost of education, from early childhood through tertiary studies, is a significant financial burden for any family. Most families facing increased expenses for uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities can strain household budgets.
Hervey Bay is fortunate to have a strong reputation for its educational institutions that private school fees are relatively low compared to the major cities.
One of the underrated costs for education associated with our growing young family population is the prospect of school leavers taking on university studies outside of the region.
While we are blessed with a quality tertiary institution of the University of Sunshine Coast campus, families face annual living costs of $20,000-$55,000 for school leavers in undertaking courses outside of our region.
If we add the burden of student loan debts, the cost for a tertiary education can be daunting for many families.
Addressing the cost of living issues in Hervey Bay requires a multifaceted approach involving government intervention, private sector collaboration, and community initiatives.
Policy interventions such as increasing the supply of affordable housing, regulating property speculation, and strengthening consumer protections in essential service markets can help alleviate financial pressures on households.
Additionally, targeted subsidies and welfare support can assist low-income individuals and families in meeting their basic needs.
Household groceries have come under strong scrutiny since the pandemic as we take more notice of the prices on the shelves and our options for feeding a family.
Regional Housing, who develops, manages and facilitates housing and support for people in need with a range of communities and partners, says the number one expense for households is grocery expenses.
Locally vendors, such as Fraser Coast Fresh Produce, provide advice and guidance with your fruit and vegetables bills and ways to save money.
Investments in infrastructure and public transportation are essential to improving mobility and reducing transportation costs locally. Efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources can mitigate the impact of rising utility bills while addressing climate change concerns.
The benefits of implementing long-term economic policies that prioritise sustainable growth, and social inclusion will unite our community to address costs. This involves fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in education, infrastructure, and healthcare to create opportunities for all locals to prosper.
Reforms to the healthcare system, including reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving access to dental care and mental health services, are crucial for enhancing health outcomes and reducing financial hardship.
The cost of living issues in Hervey Bay represents a complex challenge that requires coordinated action at various levels of government and society. While our region enjoys prosperity and economic growth, many families struggle to make ends meet amid soaring expenses for housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and education.
By implementing targeted policies and fostering innovation in key sectors, Hervey Bay can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future where all residents can thrive.
By adopting a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of cost of living issues and prioritises the well-being of our community, Hervey Bay can build a more resilient and inclusive society where everyone has the responsibility to contribute to manageable growth.
Budget Busters
How to save on Grocery expenses
Fraser Coast Fresh Produce at Pialba has been part of the Hervey Bay community for over a decade with the mission of sourcing local quality produce at a great price and providing value for money.
They offer the following advice to save on your fruit and vegetables.
1) Buy in season produce, no point buying a mango in w inter, it would cost a fortune because there is none around (and most likely imported) Buy what is readily available in big volumes, freeze it if necessary if you
like to use the product all year around; for instance we have loads of people that buy extra cauliflowers in winter, buy a heap and chop it up, that’s then good fora few months in the freezer.
2) Buy in volume, spread the love with your friends, family or neighbours, purchase fruit by the box and get a better price, it might seem like a lot of produce at first but once you divide between everyone you would notice great value for money, for instance bananas loose by the kg would be $1.99, but in a box would be$24 for 15 kg ($1.60 kg) this could be a great saving.
3) Buy the specials, it sounds simple but it really is the best way to make your dollar go further, a lot of stores (including ours) will put certain lines cheap as specials to draw the people in, you would get product for a close as cost prize or even below sometimes.
