Further to our recent item on the Haves-and-Have-Nots economy, which translates into real estate outcomes, here are some more snippets on how the booming economy is delivering great wealth to the upper end and hardship at the other extreme.

St George Bank, which recently reported record profits, has announced it's out-sourcing more jobs to India to save money. That results in job losses in Australia.

CSR, after reporting a net profit of $240 million, has announced it will close its Strathpine, Brisbane, brick-paver factory to save money. About 50 people will lose their jobs.

Mining giant Rio Tinto, which has enjoyed the fruits of the resources boom more than most, has stood down 160 coal mine workers at its Tarong mine because of water shortages.

The head of Central Queensland University, who has just been granted a 40% pay rise (to almost $700,000 a year), has responded by announcing staff cuts to save money.

These are just a few examples of the separation between those who are reaping the rewards of the booming economy and those who are not - which has left us with a two-speed property market, with the upper end surging and the rest not.