T O W N S V I L L E C AT H O L I C E D U C AT I O N
...Mount Isa TOWNSHIP GUIDE
THINKING ABOUT TEACHING IN
? a s I t n u o M Not only is Mount Isa Western Queensland’s largest township, it is a vibrant multicultural city, a regional hub for business and is surrounded by a number of natural wonders, all within short driving distances. As a Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) teacher, you also have the choice of working within three amazing school communities and will be eligible for our Incentive Payments Remote Area Staff Scheme (IPRASS). This guide has been developed to share with you the benefits you can receive as well as assist you with your research on what would make Mount Isa the perfect move for you!
MOUNT ISA IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE VIA SEALED ROADS, RAIL & PLANE QANTAS Brisbane & Townsville to Mount Isa VIRGIN Brisbane to Mount Isa REX Townsville to Mount Isa (not direct)
BUS QUEENSLAND Mount Isa to Brisbane & Townsville GREYHOUND Mount Isa to Brisbane, Townsville & Tennant Creek
QUEENSLAND RAIL The Inlander service between Mount Isa & Townsville
A City like no other Mount Isa has the facilities of a city but the feel and pace of a country town. There is always something to do if you are willing to embrace the community and try new experiences. Festivals, tourism, retail, sport… Mount Isa has something for everyone. Teaching in rural and remote locations is a rewarding experience that can take you places. Many of the school leadership positions across our 29 Catholic schools within the Townsville Diocese are filled with highly skilled and resilient leaders who have either started or spent time during their careers working in the regions. Kath Tarttelin, Principal of one of Townsville largest Catholic primary schools, Holy Spirit Catholic School, Cranbrook and foundation Principal of St Clare’s Catholic School said her experience teaching in Mount Isa is one of her best career memories. “Teaching in remote and rural areas of our diocese has not only been professionally and socially rewarding, but provided me with avenues very early in my teaching career to pursue my interest in leading in different areas of school life. I honestly believe I am the leader I am today due to the amazing opportunities and support I received in the early days of my teaching career out West!”
St Kieran’s Catholic School Short Street, Pioneer W: skmtsv.catholic.edu.au St Kieran’s Catholic School offers Prep to Year 6 and has a strong commitment to communication.
Good Shepherd Catholic College Cnr Mary & Camooweal Streets W: goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au Good Shepherd Catholic College provides secondary education for boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 12.
St Joseph’s Catholic School
IPRASS Benefits Travel Allowance
50-60 Twenty Third Avenue W: sjmtsv.catholic.edu.au
As a teacher in Mount Isa, you
St Joseph’s Catholic School is a co-educational school of Prep to Year 6 students as well as a Kindergarten located within the school.
annually, distributed across your
will receive an additional $2,000 fortnightly pay to assist with your travel costs or adventures to further explore the region. Teachers also receive additional leave days to allow for travel.
Wellbeing Allowance As a teacher in Mount Isa, you will
Schools
receive an additional $1,200 annually, distributed across your fortnightly
Mount Isa is home to three Catholic schools.
pay, to use for your wellbeing. This
Our mission is to provide services to our Catholic school communities which support them in achieving quality outcomes for students and in promoting the ongoing development of Catholic Education.
wellness retreat, using for a gym or
could be saving up for a flight or a club membership or simply towards enjoying your western experience.
Years of Service in IPRASS Centre
Allowance (full time)
In years one and two
$1,650
In year three
$2,750
In years four and subsequent years
$4,440
Allowance As a teacher in Mount Isa, you are eligible for an IPRASS Allowance which increases annually for four years. Once you reach the maximum allowance, you will remain on that level for each year you remain working within the region. If you choose to transfer between IPRASS locations, you will also retain your existing years of service and equivalent IPRASS allowance within the new region. TCE IPRASS locations include Cloncurry, Winton, Hughenden and Collinsville.
Living & Accommodation Another benefit TCE offers for teachers within Mount Isa is a Living & Accommodation Allowance (LAA). Received fortnightly, the LAA sees an additional $350* (full time rate) to put towards choosing the perfect accommodation for your needs. Before you make the move to Mount Isa, don’t forget to keep information and documentation you will need for your application for residential tenancy with you. Rental applications and agreements require documentation such as bank statements, phone/ electricity bills, rates notices, birth certificate and passports. *Allowance for leadership positions may differ.
Real Estate There are a number of great housing options in Mount Isa, however real estate can be competitive. To assist you in finding the home that best suits you, here are a list of local agents. TCE also has an Engagement and Liaison Officer who you can contact with questions about the region and get local intel.
REAL ESTATE AGENCIES
SHORT TERM STAY
City and Country Realty
Leichhardt Accommodation
23 Miles Street P: 07 4743 9499 W: cityandcountryrealty.com.au
3 Camooweal Street P: 07 4743 3323 W: leichhardtaccommodation.com/about
Isa Realty
Fourth Avenue Motor In
26 Brilliant Street P: 0447 165 642 W: realestate.com.au/agency/ isa-realty-RHFOFA
14 Fourth Avenue P: 0447 433 477 W: fourthavemotorinn.com
Jays
1a Isa Street P: 0467 536 511 W: mtisacitymotel.com.au
77 Camooweal Street P: 07 4744 8000 W: jaysre.com.au
Matter Property 3 Miles Street P: 07 4743 5911 W: matterproperty.homes
Vivid Realty 73 Camooweal Street P: 07 4749 5550 W: vividrealty.com.au
4825 Realty 21c Rodeo Drive P: 07 4749 3733 W: 4825realty.com.au Realestate.com.au is a helpful website to search for rental vacancies, costs and availability.
Mt Isa City Motel
Accommodation@Isa 149 West Street P: 07 4749 2441 W: accommodationisa.com.au
Relocating Assistance Another area where TCE will assist in a smooth transition to Mount Isa is by covering personal and family relocation costs.
You and your family covered
Removalist covered
TCE will cover the cost for you and any additional household members to relocate either through flights from your current residence to Mount Isa or reimburse all reasonable costs you incur travelling by road.
TCE will also assist in relocation of your household belongings by allocating up to $6,000 plus $500 for each additional member of the household for removal and relocation of household items.
Motor vehicle covered
When planning your relocation, if you require furniture once in Mount Isa please note that some items can take longer to be supplied if not in stock. You may need to consider purchasing these goods prior to moving.
If travelling by air, TCE will also cover the cost of one motor vehicle being transported to Mount Isa. When planning the transportation of a vehicle consider the delivery date to ensure you have access to transportation when you arrive.
Travelling through the wet season If you are planning your trip during the wet season, please check Queensland Traffic or RACQ Road Conditions for information on current road conditions. qldtraffic.qld.gov.au racq.com.au/cars-and-driving/safety-on-the-road/road-conditions
Townsville Catholic Education has a number of preferred suppliers for relocating household items and vehicles to Mount Isa. You have an option to obtain quotes from two companies on our preferred supplier list and provide these quotes. TCE will arrange direct payment to the most appropriate supplier. Payment will be made up to the capped amount and any additional charges will be required to be paid by the employee. Alternatively, you can arrange your own relocation and submit tax invoices for reimbursement up to their capped amount, noting that reimbursement will not occur until the first pay following commencement of employment. Dawson Moving & Storage Townsville P: 07 4774 3780 W: dawsonnq.com.au
Gormans Removals P: 07 4924 2424 W: gormans.com.au
Allied Pickfords P: 07 4774 5799 W: alliedpickfords.com.au/ removalists/townsville
Twin Cities Removals & Storage P: 0427 636 005 W: twincitiesrns.com
Keffords (A&R) P: 07 4774 4411 W: keffords.com.au Kent Removals & Storage P: 1300 709 565 W: kentremovalsstorage.com.au/ removalists-townsville-removals
WhyBirds P: 1300 653 884 W: whybirds.com.au Grace P: 1300 723 844 W: grace.com.au/townsville
Other helpful information about Mount Isa Mount Isa has a comprehensive range of health services and regional businesses located within the city centre. Below is a list of key facilities and lifestyle shops.
Best & Less 27 Simpson Street P: 07 4749 4701
Lifeline Shop Mt Isa 79 Camooweal Street W: unitingcareqld.com.au
Bunnings 95 Camooweal Street P: 07 4744 8400 W: bunnings.com.au
Mount Isa Furniture and Bedding 107 Camooweal Street P: 07 4743 0876 W: mountisafurniture.com.au
Country Style Living 4/80 Camooweal Street W: countrystyleliving.com.au
Mt Isa Village – Kmart and Coles 22 Simpson Street W: mountisavillage.com.au
Dollars and Sense 3/80 Camooweal Street W: dollarsense.com.au
Ozzie Outdoors 15 Isa Street P: 07 4743 5558
Harvey Norman 121 Marian Street P: 07 4745 0200 W: harveynorman.com.au
Pharmacy First (open 7 days, with extended hours) Has a wide selection of home decors, a big health food section, cook books and some GP type services. W: pharmacyfirst.net.au
Laura Johnson Op Shop 41 Clarke Street P: 07 4743 9510 W: lauraj.com.au/wp/our-services
Woolworths (open 6 days/week) 2 Miles Street W: woolworths.com.au
There’s lots of entertainment options Mount Isa... We recommend a visit to the Outback at Isa when you’re new to town. There is plenty of help with local information on places to explore around Mt Isa, however here are some of our top picks. For the adventure and nature lovers, Mount Isa has Lake Moondarra, situated 13km from town, where you can fish or enjoy water sports. The Lake is also used to hold triathlons in the summer months and is the start of the Outback to the Stack half marathon in July. There are a multitude of camping spots around the district and if you enjoy the outdoors and (real) camping the possibilities are endless. Approximately four hours away is the Gregory River which allows for camping and swimming. Whether you’re a budding musicians or simply enjoy music, there are a number of places to practice your craft. ‘The Shack” is a community run group for all who play or listen to live music and is held every fortnight. For thespians MITS (The Mount Isa Theatrical Society) is a non-profit amateur theatre group that performs a variety of plays each year.
Mount Isa also provides access to a fossil heritage trail throughout the district with the centre between Richmond-Hughenden-Winton. There is the opportunity to join archaeological digs and see exhibitions in Richmond and Mount Isa.
If sport is more your thing… The iconic Isa Rodeo is held on the second weekend of August every year and attracts spectators from afar. There is a street festival with street stalls with food and entertainment. The Catholic schools in Mount Isa enjoy a day off on the Friday of the rodeo weekend and there is a parade where the staff and students are encouraged to enter floats. Splashez Aquatic centre is a great place for families has a 50m pool and the family fun park next door has a variety of swings and play equipment including a skate park and PCYC.
Contact Based in Mount Isa, the Engagement and Liaison Officer can assist if you are having difficulties finding a suitable property or if you need assistance sourcing household items. P: 4773 0924 W: tsv.catholic.edu.au E: teacheraccommodation@ tsv.catholic.edu.au
For more information about Mount Isa, visit: mountisa.qld.gov.au discovermountisa.com.au commercenorthwest.com.au isarodeo.com.au outbackqueensland.com.au savannahway.com.au overlandersway.com
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