Rocky is Open for Business

Published on 07 November 2017

Today Rockhampton Regional Council’s Incentives Policy brought a major multi-million dollar investment one step closer to completion. The policy - which drives economic growth, encourages private sector investment, and creates local jobs - means Council have reduced the infrastructure charges for the new Gallery Apartments.

The developers of the project, which is on Victoria Parade and will contain 30 units and a restaurant, have already invested over $15 million to date.

Chair of Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee, Councillor Ellen Smith, said the policy means developers can invest the reductions into their projects, and concentrate on getting developments up and running as quickly as possible.

“Council is absolutely committed to growing the economy. This policy sends a clear message to developers that Rockhampton is open for business,” Cr Smith said.

“The vast majority of service providers for the Gallery Apartments project are Rockhampton based, meaning any incentives we provide are going right back into our residents’ pockets. Once construction is completed, there will be further employment opportunities through the operation of the restaurant, building maintenance and rental and sale of the units.

“We know that this policy works. When introduced we saw more than 30 incentive applications lodged with Council over a three year period. Overall it led to a total of more than $1.4 million being refunded to developments, which went into getting those projects up and running. We can all feel that Rocky is on the brink of realising its potential, and it’s policies like this one which will help make that happen.”