Chelona vs Dunnrock, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chelona and Dunnrock are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 12.9 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dunnrock runs $421 a year cheaper than Chelona, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,826.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,800, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Chelona
Dunnrock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chelona | Dunnrock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,852 | $3,781 | +$71 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,350 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,066 | $10,645 | +$421 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,056 | +$350 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Chelona | Dunnrock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Unit | $1,770 | $1,770 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Chelona vs Dunnrock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chelona and Dunnrock differ by $421 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $71, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,406 from Chelona versus $7,056 from Dunnrock.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,466 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,048 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dunnrock by $71 a year, $3,781 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Dunnrock by $350 a year, $3,350 against $3,700.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chelona cumulative | Dunnrock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,066 | $10,645 | $421 |
| Year 3 | $34,204 | $32,903 | $1,301 |
| Year 5 | $58,751 | $56,516 | $2,235 |
| Year 10 | $126,859 | $122,033 | $4,826 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chelona or Dunnrock cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Chelona runs $11,066 a year by car and Dunnrock $10,645, but most of the $421 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $71. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chelona and Dunnrock?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Chelona (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Dunnrock (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Chelona and $2,048 in Dunnrock. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chelona and Dunnrock?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Chelona and $3,781 from Dunnrock to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chelona and $192 from Dunnrock.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chelona and Dunnrock?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chelona costs a cumulative $126,859 and Dunnrock costs $122,033 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,826 in favour of Dunnrock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chelona and Dunnrock suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.