Economic Development
A multitude of business opportunities arise within the Rockhampton region which is the major service centre for the burgeoning Central Queensland area.
The region boasts a well diversified economy with particular strengths in retail, health and community services, education, primary production, tourism and manufacturing.
In September 2010 Council developed an economic snapshot to show the overall nature of the Rockhampton region's economy.
Read and print a copy of the 2010 Economic Snapshot.
The Rockhampton region is an ideal location for businesses wishing to provide goods and services to Queensland's three premier coal basins.
The region is 100km east of the Bowen Basin, 220km north of the Surat Basin and 350km east of the Galilee Basin.
To gain an understanding of the close location of the Rockhampton region to the action in Queensland's coal basis click here.
Council's Economic Development Unit
Council is developing by February 2011 an economic development plan to include economic development actions which Council shall undertake. This Economic Development Plan will make up an important segment of the region's Community Plan.
The unit has the capacity to undertake research and develop strategic information for Council and, where possible, Capricorn Enterprise.
The unit specialises in primary production issues which include water allocations, potential for intensive agriculture and horticulture and an endurance ride.
In 2010-11 the Unit will complete the following projects:
Provide trunk road, water and wastewater infrastructure for the Gracemere-Stanwell Industrial Corridor. The unit will also investigate ways in which to amend the Development Control Plan to make the serviced industrial land more saleable and work with Ergon Energy and telecommunications and gas authorities to supply adequate services to the corridor.
- Develop solutions for the road, water and wastewater infrastructure challenges in the Parkhurst industrial area.
- Maximise the return to the Yeppoon community from the disposal and redevelopment of the Yeppoon Railyards.
- Develop a road link between the Capricorn Highway and the Ridgelands Road to provide a road connection to the Rockhampton Airport which may be used to assist in connection with an inter-modal freight site.
- Overcome development application issues in the vicinity of the Yeppoon industrial area and assist in the development of further serviced industrial land.
- Assist in the development of an industrial area capable of servicing Emu Park.
Council will work with Capricorn Enterprise to achieve the following tourism projects:
- Maximise benefits resulting from the redevelopment of Great Keppel Island.
- Work with Iwasaki Sangyo to redevelop Rydges Capricorn Resort.
It is also responsible for the Rockhampton region's contribution to the Leichhardt Highway and Country Way Committees.
Contact can be made with the Economic Development Unit by emailing Rick.Palmer@rrc.qld.gov.au, phoning 07 4931 5408 or 0417 311 243.
Capricorn Enterprise
Capricorn Enterprise is recognised as the peak tourism and economic development body for the Capricorn region within Central Queensland.
It provides:
- Destination marketing and holiday bookings;
- Conferencing and events services; and
- Economic development services.
As part of its economic development services Capricorn Enterprise will provide the economic development interface for the Rockhampton region business community and facilitate business growth within the region.
To contact Capricorn Enterprise click here. For a preview of the Economic Development and Industry in Capricorn visit Capricorn Tourism's YouTube Channel. This footage was developed by Capricorn Enterprise and sponsored by Rockhampton Regional Council.