Greater Whitsunday on course for a sustainable future

• Queensland Government strategy to support economic diversification and decarbonisation in the Greater Whitsunday region
• Mining, manufacturing, aquaculture and agriculture among region’s key industry strengths
• Transformation kickstarted by nearly $16.6 million in state funding for eight projects Queensland Government and council-led projects

Greater Whitsunday residents can capitalise on the global transition to a clean energy economy by leveraging their skills and resources in industries such as mining and manufacturing. 

The Queensland Government has announced the Greater Whitsunday Regional Transformation Strategy to support the region to seize opportunities presented by decarbonisation.

Developed following extensive community, local government and industry consultation, the co-designed plan identifies key economic strengths and industry priorities based on the region’s unique geography, resources and workforce skills.

To kickstart Greater Whitsunday’s transformation, the Queensland Government is also unlocking $16.6 million from the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund for eight Queensland Government and council-led projects.

This includes a $4 million investment in the Mackay State Development Area proposed Future Foods BioHub, which will use advanced biomanufacturing to create new foods and allow the region to tap into new export markets.

Find out more about Greater Whitsunday’s clean energy future at www.qld.gov.au/wearethefuture.

Alongside Regional Transformation Strategies the Queensland Government is engaging with the community and key stakeholders to continue to develop Regional Infrastructure Plans and Regional Land Use Plans to reflect and align the economic, infrastructure, land use and social aspirations of the region.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“Regional Queensland has an important role to play in the future industries that will underpin a low-emissions global economy, as identified in the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy.

“We’ve worked closely with local governments, industry and the wider community to co-design and develop a Regional Transformation Strategy for Greater Whitsunday, which is one of four priority regions.

“It outlines how the region can harness its diverse agriculture and aquaculture industry, growing advanced manufacturing base, emerging biofutures industry, and world-class tourism to create jobs and drive investment in industries that will thrive in a decarbonised world.

“Opportunities include strengthening the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) and advanced manufacturing sectors, agribusiness transformation, boosting the region’s renewable energy capability and supporting the tourism industry to meet net zero by 2050 goals.

“The Greater Whitsunday region has a strong, vibrant future and the Queensland Government is committed to supporting its transformation into a world-class, low-carbon economy.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert:

“The Miles Government is investing in our regions to create sustainable jobs and stronger, more diverse economies based on locally identified strengths and priorities.

“Regional transformation is critical to achieving Queensland’s renewable energy and emissions reduction targets, and capitalising on our existing strengths to meet global demand for cleaner, greener and more responsibly sourced products.

“Funding is being allocated to projects that have been identified through regional consultation as those that will best support the region’s economy over the long term.

“These regions have a strong, vibrant future and the Miles Government is committed to supporting their transformation into world-class, low-carbon economies.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor Greg Williamson (Mackay Regional Council) , Chair of Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors:

“This announcement was a real stake in the ground for some vital local projects.

“The Future Foods BioHub, for example, is a project that helps to future proof our greater regional economy.

“These are the cutting-edge industries that will keep our young people in the region and give them exciting career opportunities.

“Queensland is already leading the nation in the biofutures sector, so it’s tremendous to have our region at the core of this drive to unlock future industry development opportunities.”

Fast facts about the Greater Whitsunday region:

• Covers 90,140 square kilometres of northeastern Queensland.
• Comprises three local government areas: Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
• Currently home to over 186,000 people, with the population projected to grow to 236,000 by 2046.
• Mining is the region’s biggest employer.
• Produces more than a quarter (35 per cent) of Queensland’s mining output.
• Top five industries by gross output: mining ($35 billion), manufacturing ($4.8 billion), construction ($4.7 billion), transport, postal and warehousing ($2.3 billion), and agriculture, forestry and fishing ($1.6 billion).
• Key industry strengths in a clean energy economy: mining and METS, manufacturing, aquaculture, agriculture and value-added production, tourism, aerospace and hydrogen.

Newly approved projects under the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF)

ENDS

Media contact: Kim Sweetman 0457 600 237