About Central Queensland

Regional snapshot

Central Queensland is a major hub for food and fibre and transport. The region is focused on improving transport and logistics infrastructure to improve freight efficiencies and reduce export costs.

A supply chain alliance in Central Queensland will work strategically and co-ordinate industry and government to remove obstacles and delays in the region’s supply chain. This will power profitability and open new global markets for both existing primary producers and new entrants.

Significant growth opportunities could be achieved by investigating how and where to expand processing infrastructure so regional producers can grow profitability by value-adding locally.

Smart cropping and new aquaculture technology will create new opportunities for growth in horticulture, cropping and fishing.

To meet changing demands and capture emerging markets, the region is accessing environmental markets and aligning best practice programs, that will drive further recognition of this region as an international leader.

High profile events and trade missions will continue to secure further trade success. Greater integration of innovation and technology in production and processing, along with the addition of new commodities, particularly in future fuel and energy markets, will further boost the region’s prosperity.

Location

The Central Queensland region stretches from Queensland’s east coast to the Northern Territory and South Australian borders.

It is home to regional centres such as Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald and Longreach.

As well as the Local Government Areas of:

• Banana
• Boulia
• Winton
• Barcaldine
• Central Highlands
• Livingstone
• Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire
• Blackall
• Tambo
• Barcoo
• Diamantina.

Beef capital of the southern hemisphere

Central Queensland is Australia’s largest beef-producing region, with the Fitzroy Basin’s 2.5 million head of cattle alone exceeding statewide herds in all but New South Wales and Victoria.

Rockhampton – the nation’s unchallenged beef capital – is home to one of the largest livestock exchanges in the southern hemisphere, multiple large beef processing plants, and the triennial Beef Australia Expo event.

Education, innovation and AgTech excellence

Central Queensland University is Australia’s leading tertiary institution in agriculture and farm management, and one of only 4 universities to achieve the Commonwealth’s highest research ranking.

This commitment to research and education has helped the region contribute to important innovations in land management, carbon sequestration, low-emission animal diets, biodiversity restoration and farm resilience.

AgTech has also quickly become a core component of Central Queensland farming practice, with Emerald home to the Department of Primary Industries’ Smart Cropping Centre.

Growing strength in broadacre cropping

High-quality water storages, a favourable climate profile and rich vertosol soils drive the continual growth of broadacre crops such as sorghum, wheat, chickpeas and mungbeans.

Mandarin and table grape operations add to Central Queensland’s emerging reputation as a significant ‘food bowl’ region.

Commodity diversity across traditional and emerging markets

Central Queensland is diversifying into numerous niche crops, adding to its long list of established commodities.

Turf and amenity horticulture, macadamia, sesame seeds and herbs are thriving in the region, strengthening the resilience of an already strong local economy.

High-quality infrastructure

Central Queensland’s agricultural supply chain is underpinned by a robust network of roads, rail links and port facilities, including the CQ Inland Port, which aggregates product from across the region’s vast interior.

The region offers exciting opportunities to enhance efficiencies, leverage its enviable strategic location, and drive profitability by distributing products across Australia and to our export markets.