Rockhampton/Fitzroy region booms with $5.7 billion in projects

The Rockhampton and Fitzroy Region has become one of Queensland’s leading economies, with $5.7 billion worth of major projects either in full swing, due to commence or in approvals.

Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle sang the region’s praises on her visit there today to meet with Mayors Margaret Strelow, Bill Ludwig and John Hopkins as well as members of the tourism industry and to meet local department staff.

“Rockhampton is taking off with a huge future ahead. This is clear from the fact that total development applications to the Rockhampton City Council for the past financial year increased by 67 per cent on the previous year,” Ms Boyle said.

“Tourism figures to the area are also on the up with international holidaymakers visiting Central Queensland increasing 16 per cent in the year to September.”

Ms Boyle said unprecedented international demand and strong coal prices had cemented Rockhampton’s global reputation for mining and minerals processing.

“The region generates almost 40 per cent of Queensland’s coal production and, although it’s home to only 5 per cent of our population, it employs more than 10 per cent of the State’s workforce and produces more than half our electricity,” she said.

“In addition, across Central Queensland, there are 27 new coal development projects underway worth a total of $10.6 billion.”

Ms Boyle also lauded the ZeroGen Clean Coal Power Demonstration project as an option for producing new and cleaner ways of generating energy.

ZeroGen, a Government-supported subsidiary of Stanwell Corporation Limited, will provide employment to 700 workers during the five-year building stage and, once operational, will employ 125 people.

“ZeroGen is a world-first and has the potential to capture up to 90 per cent of carbon emissions currently released through conventional processes,” Ms Boyle said.

“It’s also going to bring a staggering $1 billion into the local economy during construction.”

“There are so many exciting developments on the cards for Rockhampton and in today’s competitive labour market the region certainly has an edge,” Ms Boyle said.

“It has a secure water supply, stunning beaches, affordable housing, excellent educational options and a major airport with direct routes to Mackay, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.”

Projects under construction

• Stocklands Shopping Centre / Kmart Plaza extension
• ‘The Edge’ multiple unit dwelling and accommodation building (84 units) including restaurant
• Sea Spray community title development at Zilzie
• Great Barrier Reef resort, residential development and conference at Zilzie;
• A large retirement village with aged care facilities at Zilzie
• Lancini Shopping Mall in CBD Yeppoon;
• The Yeppoon Community Hospital on Yeppoon Road
• Motel, tavern and restaurants complex on Scenic Highway, Capricorn Coast
• Several multiple dwelling developments in CBD Yeppoon and nearby beaches
• Four large residential developments within Yeppoon and Emu-Park

Awaiting Start – approved

• 100 lot residential subdivision (Cascade Heights – Stages 1-4) to commence by 2009
• 135 unit retirement village and caravan park (12 relocatable homes), South Rockhampton, to be constructed by March 2009
• 140 unit retirement village, North Rockhampton
• Shopping centre, Parkhurst, to be commenced by 2011
• 200 unit accommodation building, conference facility and restaurant, South Rockhampton, to be commenced by October 2010
• “Edenbrook’ residential and mix use development, Parkhurst, to be commenced by 2011
• 50 motel units and bottle shop, North Rockhampton, to be commenced by 2010
• Retail showrooms, North Rockhampton, to be commenced by 2010
• 15 lot subdivision, North Rockhampton, to be commenced by 2008
• Hotel, accommodation building and multi unit dwelling, South Rockhampton to be commenced by 2011
• Industrial subdivision (12 lots), North Rockhampton, to be commenced by 2009
• Shops, hotel (89 units) and restaurant, South Rockhampton, to be commenced by 2010

Decision pending

• “Riverview” 86 lot residential development
• “Wintergarden” 175 multi unit dwelling, commercial premises, shop and club
• Accommodation building (100 units), conference facilities and restaurant
• 123 unit student accommodation
• 154 aged care units
• 2500 lot aged care accommodation and associated services
• 50 accommodation units
• 10 storey multi-unit dwelling
• 7 different residential subdivisions providing allotments for 610 dwellings
• In the Capricorn Coast area there are approximately 156 current applications ranging from residential and multi-unit developments through to large master planned developments

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2007

12 December 2007