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Engaging with government on regional priorities
RDA Greater Whitsunday recently travelled to Brisbane to meet with the Hon Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, alongside agency representatives and other Queensland RDAs. The session focused on regional development priorities and opportunities to align state and regional plans, including housing solutions, critical minerals, transport and infrastructure planning.
Progressing the agriculture and primary industries plan
RDA GW continues to contribute to the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 strategy and support development of the Central Queensland five-year regional plan. This work includes collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and other regional partners to ensure our local priorities are reflected in the statewide framework. The plan is expected to be released in the first half of 2026.
Advancing workforce accommodation projects
Thank you to Greater Whitsunday Communities for their continued partnership and contribution to this work. Workforce accommodation remains a clear regional priority. Together with stakeholders, we have identified four potential project sites, with further development planned through early 2026 to enable delivery. While large-scale housing developments take time, steady progress is being made toward meeting regional demand.
Supporting modular housing investment in Mackay
A major milestone has been achieved with Sentinel Property Group securing land in Paget to support modular housing assembly and potential future manufacturing. Mackay’s role as a service centre for North Queensland underpins this investment, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2026. This remains a substantial and ongoing piece of regional development work.
Roadport project confirmed for Mackay
RDA GW supported Roadport’s decision to locate its major transport and services hub in Mackay, with the private group acquiring 100 acres at the corner of Knobels Road and the Bruce Highway in North Mackay. Throughout 2025, RDA GW provided data insights, stakeholder introductions and ongoing support to assist project progression.
Housing opportunities in the Whitsundays
Private developers continue to explore housing opportunities in Bowen and Airlie Beach, particularly in retirement living options. Modular housing continues to be considered as part of these delivery models as planning advances.
Supporting Lindeman Island redevelopment
RDA GW has been engaged with Well Smart Group, the new owners of Lindeman Island, as planning progressed for a proposed $600 million resort redevelopment. Our support has focused on facilitating access to local trade services, freight and logistics connections, and engagement with key partners such as North Queensland Bulk Ports. The project is expected to go to market in early 2026 and presents future employment and supply chain opportunities.
Residential Activation Fund unlocks critical infrastructure
Nearly $100 million in funding has been secured for the MIW region under the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund. The fund supports the delivery of critical trunk and enabling infrastructure - including water supply, sewerage, stormwater, power, telecommunications and transport - that allows land to be developed for new housing.
Strengthening critical minerals development
Following the Queensland Government’s release of its Critical Minerals Development Program in November, RDA GW has been working with regional stakeholders through a local working group to identify opportunities for the region. Further momentum is expected in early 2026 through multi-regional collaboration across Queensland, including engagement with the Federal Government. The MIW region’s focus includes critical minerals processing through the Resources Centre of Excellence.
Expanding aerospace capability in Bowen
RDA GW continues to work with Gilmore Space on the further development of their Bowen facility. This includes expansion of propulsion systems capability, launch infrastructure and the establishment of additional testing facilities for rocket fuels and equipment. These developments will support Gilmore Space’s own operations while also enabling subcontracted testing services for other providers.
Regional diversification working group involvement
RDA GW was recently invited to join a regional diversification working group hosted by the Department of State Development, with Resource Industry Network chairing the group. The Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) and Trade and Investment Queensland are also involved in contributing to discussions on future diversification opportunities across the region.
Contributing to local economic development strategies
We provided support to both Mackay Regional Council and Whitsunday Regional Council in the development and finalisation of their new economic development strategies. RDA GW was pleased to contribute and engage with stakeholders throughout the process.
Olympics planning and regional infrastructure
RDA GW continues to engage with stakeholders on opportunities linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Planning includes both preparatory infrastructure and Games-time considerations, with sailing events proposed for the Whitsundays and cricket in Mackay. The Queensland Government’s commitment of funding for a centre of excellence at Harrup Park supports broader regional infrastructure planning and potential accommodation outcomes.
Northern Australia collaboration progressing
RDA GW attended a Northern Australia RDA Alliance workshop in Canberra in November to develop the Alliance’s strategic plan. The outcomes from this session will now be finalised into a strategic planning document to guide future development priorities and determine what RDAs will seek through upcoming Northern Australia initiatives. This work will also inform the Alliance’s direct engagement with Northern Australia development structures, including the advisory group and ministerial roundtable.
Biofutures and sugarcane opportunities
RDA GW submitted a response to the Queensland Government’s inquiry into sugarcane and biofuels, highlighting regional opportunities and the requirements needed to support bioenergy development. This work aligns with broader efforts to progress biofutures across the region.
Connectivity insights through partnership
In partnership with Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and our LGAs, RDA GW commissioned an independent evaluation of mobile and internet connectivity across the region, using nationally recognised methodologies. The findings have been submitted to the Australian Government as part of a national audit and highlight opportunities to improve both infrastructure performance and awareness of existing services. Insights also point to the importance of digital literacy and ensuring businesses are accessing services suited to their needs.
Australian Government revisits gas policy potential
The Australian Government has announced it will look to unveil an East Coast Gas Reservation Policy, including possible price and supply measures to support domestic gas supply at below world parity price. RDA GW, in collaboration with our local councils, explored regional gas supply opportunities in 2022, aligned to the then State Government interests in supporting a commercial gas pipeline connection between Moranbah and southern gas infrastructure connections of the state.
At the time, our region was angling toward consideration of pipeline gas supply from Moranbah to Mackay to support manufacturing aspirations and possible spur line development from the Nth Qld gas pipeline to key coastal locations in the Whitsundays LGA to support industrial development and manufacturing aligned to Abott Point. Given some changes in government policy regarding gas v/s renewables, the proposed gas connection from Moranbah to Gladstone and southern areas was not realised.
In essence, while the supply of gas from Moranbah to the south isn't a brand-new concept, current East Coast Gas Policy priorities, focusing on domestic supply and grid integration, create renewed opportunities for such infrastructure to be reconsidered and potentially built. In this same consideration, the Greater Whitsundays region can and should be considering viable commercial opportunities to see gas (mine waste gas) provision to the coastal areas of our region to support manufacturing, should the final arrangement aligned to the East Coast Gas Policy see gas as a cost-effective energy source.
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