Number 1 Gross Regional Product per capita in Queensland

Number 1 Gross Regional Product per capita in Queensland

Whitsunday Region is the nation building region of Australia providing over $22 billion of economic value to the Australian economy. Our region s productivity is 62 per cent higher than the Queensland average. Whitsunday Region, located half way between Brisbane and Cairns, takes in Isaac, Whitsunday and Mackay Regional Councils. Covering an area of 90,000km 2, it boasts significant port infrastructure for export. Whitsunday region is one of the fastest growing and dynamic economies in Australia, delivering minerals, diverse agricultural products and tourism to the world through its world class natural resources, impressive built and natural environments and enviable location. The current population of 171,000 residents is predicted to grow by 62 per cent to 279,000 by 2031. Productivity = average amount of output produced by an hour worked

Gross Regional Product per capita $133,143 $64,500 $43,706 $39,747 Whitsunday Brisbane Gold Coast Sunshine Coast Whitsunday Region s economy is driven by: Bowen and Galilee Basins housing the largest coal mining deposits in Australia. The majority of Queensland s prime coking coal reserves are mined here, including the highest grade metallurgical coal in the world a strong agribusiness sector, including one of the nation s largest sugar and bio commodity producers one of the largest winter produce growing regions in Australia and key producer of grain and beef an expanding construction and development industry underpinned by accessible port facilities, rail and air infrastructure world renowned tourism destinations including the 74 Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef with over 1.3 million visitors to the region spending some $967 million. Tourism Research Australia June 2011 Whitsunday Region s GRP is $22 billion population 171,000 GRP per capita $133,143 our GRP per capita is double Brisbane s and triple the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast s. Brisbane Gold Coast GRP $129 billion Population 2,000,000 GRP per capita $64,500 GRP $25 billion Population 572,000 GRP per capita $43,706 How other regions compare: Hunter GRP $36.9 billion Region* Population 643,108 GRP per capita $57,377 Townsville GRP $18.4 billion and North Population 260,048 West Region GRP per capita $70,756 Sunshine GRP $12.6 billion Coast Population 317,000 Region GRP per capita $39,747 GRP Source: Queensland Treasury and Trade, March 2013 GRP 2010/11 * Deloittes 2013

Fast Facts: Our region produces approximately 104 million tonnes of coal per year, and in 2011/12 exported 96.5 million tonnes via our ports (Dept Natural Resources and Mines, and NQBP) In 2012, the region crushed 8.4 million tonnes of sugar cane and produced 1.2 million tonnes of sugar. Some 382,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 299,000 tonnes of refined sugar were exported via Mackay City Port (Mackay Canegrowers and NQBP) The region produced 368,000 tonnes of grain and $332 million of beef (ABS 7503.0, Nov 2012) 1.2 billion litres of fuel is transported by road from the City of Mackay Port to the mining areas of the Bowen and Galilee Basins The Queensland Treasury and Trade (2013) population study estimates that there were 18,000 non-resident persons residing in the region in 2012 primarily due to FIFO activity. Opportunities to grow the regional economy for significant return on investment for Australia: Increased agriculture and aquaculture exports to Asia through expansion of port and airport infrastructure and enhanced national food security and export opportunities direct international tourism links with Asia and Pacific regions through an international airport in the Whitsunday region improved road infrastructure including the Bruce Highway, Peak Downs Highway and Clermont Alpha Road to mitigate against flooding, improve productivity and enable greater capacity for industry expansion (particularly mining, agriculture, tourism, construction and transport logistics) - in particular providing a secure link between the Galilee and Bowen coal fields to the rest of the region. Disclaimer: Whilst all efforts have been made to ensure the content of this fact sheet is free from error, Regional Development Australia Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (RDAMIW) and Whitsunday Regional Organisation of Councils does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Whitsunday ROC RDAMIW does not accept any liability for any person, for any damage or loss whatsoever or howsoever caused in relation to that person taking action (or not taking action as the case may be) in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this information sheet.

Our Needs: Opportunity REGIONAL ROADS Bruce Highway (includes Mackay Ring Road) Peak Downs Highway and Stockroute Road realignment Galilee/Bowen Basin connecting roads - Clermont-Alpha Road - Bowen Development Road Belyando Estate Bridge RAIL Improve rail usage to assist in industry expansions - Resource sector - Agriculture - Tourism - passengers ENERGY North Queensland Energy Strategy Issues and solutions - Improve road safety - increased capacity and flood mitigation of key sections in Bruce Highway 10 year Action Plan - implement Federal Government commitment to Bruce Highway of $4.1 billion and State Government commitment of $1 billion. - Implement Regional Infrastructure Fund commitment of $120m for upgrades to improve safety and productivity. Note: 12,000 vehicles per day on Peak Downs Highway and 900 minor coaches per month - Sealing over 80km of the Clermont Alpha Road to link the Galilee and Bowen Basin mining communities - sealing and construction of Bowen Development Road to allow for expanded mining activity in Bowen and Galilee Basins. - Initial investment of $5m for each road. - $20m road and bridge infrastructure to allow for access to affordable housing in mining communities (Isaac Regional Council). - Work with federal and state governments to ensure one rail system in mining area. - Advocate for safer rail crossings and overpasses to avoid safety and productivity issues - build capacity of local rail stations to load freight (agriculture) and ease congestion on regional roads and increase speed of product to market. - Support alternative energy sources including solar sequestration, waste energy solutions and cogeneration eg. Mackay Sugar Cogen Plant - influence Northern Queensland Energy strategy - advocate for base load generation in region and acknowledge importance of Collinsville power station - investigate energy retail alliance - support the development of Qld Govt Energy Strategy and improved regulatory environment in the energy sector. Benefits to community and return on investment Road infrastructure that supports the nation building region. Improved efficiencies in freight and passenger movements, reduced traffic accidents, improved productivity and competitiveness for industry and community and links to the City of Mackay Port. The Peak Downs Highway is the only access road from the City of Mackay to the Bowen and Galilee Basins. Deliver significant economic benefit to the region and link Galilee to the mining services hub of Mackay and further north, create an inland freight transport route, provide a secure all weather North/South link. The bridge will provide access to a major residential area within mining communities. Increased safety and productivity at rail crossings. One rail network for mining activities. Build capacity of agriculture sector. Northern Queensland energy supply that is competitively priced and encourages industry to expand and establish in the region, and results in nation building activities. Support alternative energy solutions.

Our Needs: Opportunity AIRPORTS AND PORTS International Airport for Whitsunday Region including multi-modal transport hub Fuel Transport Investigate option for fuel to be transported by rail or pipeline instead of road Develop the region s ports infrastructure to allow for increased export Issues and solutions - Development of the regional aviation master plan and strategies - expansion of the Whitsunday Coast Airport runway and infrastructure, approx cost $10m with options for public/private partnership - investigate joint business venture between the three local governments. 1.2 billion litres of fuel is transported from Mackay City Port to mining communities. - Investigate options to secure a transport corridor for fuel to be transported more efficiently to mining communities. - Expansion of Mackay City Port to allow for containerised freight to maximise export/import opportunities - expansion and development of the Abbot Point Port Precinct. Benefits to community and return on investment Expansion into international tourism for the region and supports a nation building regional economy. Increased regional choices and activity. Increased agriculture and aquaculture export in line with the Asian Century paper. Improved safety of fuel transport, from roads to rail or pipeline. Decrease impact on the roads, decrease congestion on roads to mining communities Increased trade opportunities through expansion of ports, building on the economic value of the region. WATER AND SEWERAGE, WATER MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY Regional Water Strategy Water and Sewerage Funding - Advocate for national water strategy and regional catchment management plan - secure funding for Regional Water Supply and Demand Study approx $500,000 - investigate options for greater water and sewerage funding for local governments in high growth population areas - increased costs of water and sewerage, and compliance due to proximity to Great Barrier Reef. Reduce the risk of GRP and GDP decreasing due to lack of well planned water supply for communities and industries. Well planned and funded water and sewerage supply to cater for growing populations. Smarter solutions to reduced environmental harm due and capacity issues. SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Social and community infrastructure, telecommunications and education - Develop a social infrastructure plan for the region - map community infrastructure and services to identify gaps, duplication and opportunities; as mentioned in the House of Reps FIFO Report - telecommunication upgrades to support community safety outcomes, inclusive of non-resident population. Social infrastructure to support the nation building region supplying equitable standards to similar producers of gross regional product.

PO Box 41, Mackay, Queensland 4740 Phone: (07) 4961 9455 Email: whitsundayroc@mackay.qld.gov.au Developed in partnership with Regional Development Australia Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Inc. and Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.