New2thebah

Moranbah is for the mining industry, no qualms about it. For a regional mining town, it actually isn't that bad compared to surrounding towns. There are some old houses but plenty of new developments being built. The retail is a bit hit and miss. Coles occasionally runs out of food, as does Red Rooster and KFC. There is only Coles for food shopping, no IGA/Woolworths/Aldi but that is set to change in the future with the development of Ted Rolfe oval. Domino's is mostly miss than hit unfortunately but Subway is pretty good. There are 3 hairdressers, 2 jewelers, several banks, Target Country, Rockmans, EB Games, several gift stores, 2 news agencies, Mr Toys, Video Ezy, Brumbies, a sports store, fruit and veg store, Post Office, butcher, Prices Plus, rural supplies store incl pet store, Mitre 10, medical centre, physio, optometrist, fish and chip shop, Retravision, 2 Chinese restaurants, 2 pubs, an adult store, sign-making store, burger/pie store, vet clinic, mechanic, laundry mat, training centre, dry cleaners, library, nearly built aquatic centre with swimming pool, Telstra store, motel restaurant and 5 servos.

The theatre at the community centre has impressed me several times. There are plenty of families with kids riding bikes, people jogging and walking and socialising outdoors.

High rental prices and bad behaviour at the pubs by FIFO workers is starting to degrade the feel of the town. I moved here 12 months ago and even I can tell it's getting worse. Once the new retail developments are built, it will give families and people like my partner and I somewhere nice to go spend time after work than resorting to the pub for a bit of nightlife. They tell me people are bored in this town and I know at times I am but as soon as more people move here once the new developments are built, the nightlife that familiesand professionals will like will be able to be sustained.

What the town needs:
Another supermarket for variety, competition and availability
Telecommunication tower and retail store for Optus
An alternative to pub nightlife eg reopen Cinemas
A car yard (Toyota or Holden judging by everyone's cars)
More childcare facilities
TAFE
McDonalds
Proper Airport
Nice restaurant like The Swag in Middlemount
Ribs/Pizza/Pasta/Salad restaurant would be awesome (Nandos would be the ultimate..)

Lastly, surprisingly there is a growing LGBTI community in Moranbah. For a town in regional QLD I am happily surprised to see some diversity out here. Maybe not enough for a parade but still good on you Moranbah!