Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday | Primary Industries Prosper 2050

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In addition to these regional actions, Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday will benefit from the statewide actions being delivered.

Accelerate innovation and productivity growth

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW06	Provide localised demonstrations of AgTech solutions that connect enterprises with expertise for increased uptake of AgTech.	2026	2030	North Queensland Farmers	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Accelerated innovation, readiness and adoption
MIW07	Scope the development of an Aquaculture Smart Farm in the region to develop, assess and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies in the aquaculture sector.	2026	2027	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Fisheries Research and Development Corporation; Industry	Accelerated innovation, readiness and adoption

Create conditions for lasting investment growth

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW13	Develop and actively support Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Agriculture Alliance to identify opportunities and promote economic development for the region that spans land use, water, transport and infrastructure needs to provide direct input into planning priorities at all levels of government.	2026	2027	Regional Development Australia	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Ease of business
MIW14	Identify areas for Agricultural Precinct Development and explore concepts for policy and planning support to attract investment.	2026	2027	Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Ease of business
MIW15	Provide coordinated concierge services for industry entrants and those seeking to expand or develop new projects to increase investment in the region.	2026	2030	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government; Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development, Queensland Government	Ease of business

Create education and training pathways to career opportunities

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW05	Ensure primary industries are represented on regional skills bodies and sector relevant training opportunities are prioritised.	2026	2027	Department of Trade, Employment and Training, Queensland Government	Regional Development Australia	Skilled and agile workforce

Drive efficient and reliable supply chain, freight and transport infrastructure

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW17	Secure funding for trunk infrastructure to support the development of a Merinda agribusiness hub.	2026	2030	Whitsunday Regional Council	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Shared infrastructure
MIW18	Undertake planning to improve the efficiency of the transport network to enable primary industries productivity. For example, Plan for the Mackay Port Access Upgrades to facilitate agriculture at the Port of Mackay.	2026	2030	Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Government	None	Shared infrastructure
MIW19	Investigate options and investment priorities for the upgrading of key roads to improve agriculture productivity. Investigations for example may include roads such as Peak Downs Highway.	2026	2030	Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Government	None	Shared infrastructure

Expand markets and grow exports

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW03	Connect Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday product with high value export market opportunities for increased profitability.	2026	2030	Trade and Investment Queensland, Queensland Government	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Market growth and value-adding
MIW04	Further develop new aquaculture industries, including support for the growth of a rock oyster industry.	2026	2027	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	None	Market growth and value-adding

Realise biofuel and biomanufacturing opportunities

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW01	Facilitate investor engagement and producer feedstock production opportunities for biomanufacturing in the Mackay region.	2026	2030	Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Market growth and value-adding

Reenergise regional processing

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW16	Continue to actively support the QUT Pioneer BioPilot Plant.	2026	2026	Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Shared infrastructure

Scale value-adding and capture more value locally

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW02	Provide support to North Queensland Food Futures Precinct Business Case & Pilot Plant.	2026	2026	Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government; North Queensland Farmers	Market growth and value-adding

Support businesses with the skills and tools to grow

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW11	Develop and promote a network of AgTech service providers and the skilled trades and services to install, maintain, and troubleshoot technology (for example electricians, installers, and service technicians).	2026	2027	Regional Development Australia	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Skilled and agile workforce
MIW12	Build peer-to-peer networks to share case studies, shared learning, and build capability.	2026	2027	Whitsunday Regional Council	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government; Canegrowers	Skilled and agile workforce

Unlock access to water

ID	Action description	State date	Finish date	Lead	Partners	Priority area
MIW08	Investigate strategies to increase water utilisation in the Pioneer Valley through new industries and crops to the region and further agricultural development to support primary industries growth.	2026	2026	Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government	Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, Queensland Government	Shared infrastructure
MIW09	Analyse water demands and availability in the Whitsunday, Pioneer Valley, Burdekin Basin and Fitzroy Basin water plan areas and find opportunities to unlock water to meet demands where possible, focussing on agriculture productivity.	2026	2028	Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, Queensland Government	None	Shared infrastructure
MIW10	Complete the statutory review and replacement of the Whitsunday, Pioneer Valley, Burdekin Basin and Fitzroy Basin water plans to balance current and future water needs and develop a new Central Queensland water plan to improve management of the Fitzroy, Calliope and Boyne River basins.	2025	2028	Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, Queensland Government	None	Shared infrastructure

Last updated: 07 Aug 2026