The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor

Fitzroy and Central West Inc.
Growing Central Queensland
The Fitzroy River
Agricultural Corridor
October 2014
Overview
Vision
Growing Central Queensland is a regional initiative to capture sustainable agribusiness opportunities for
individuals and communities across Central Queensland.
Purpose
To promote Growing Central Queensland as a key vehicle to encourage the development of catalytic
agriculture infrastructure, by attracting public and private investment. This will lead to a number of
infrastructure priorities and individual investment prospects being identified.
In the first instance, Beef 2015 will be used as an opportunity to promote the first tranche of identified priority
investment opportunities.
Background
The six local governments within the Fitzroy Statistical Divisional region, State Government Departments,
Regional Economic Development Organisations and Australian Government agencies across the Central
Queensland region met to discuss major cross-regional agricultural priorities and how to address them. Road,
water, energy and export infrastructure were identified as major areas for infrastructure investment to support
the agriculture sector – the backbone of our rural and remote communities.
Process
It has been agreed that Regional Development Australia Fitzroy and Central West will auspice the development
of a Growing Central Queensland opportunities assessment and investment prospectus. This will draw on
information from studies conducted by the Queensland State Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry, Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Department of Natural Resources
and Mines, CQUniversity and local government.
The scope of the Growing Central Queensland opportunities assessment and investment prospectus will
include (but not be limited to) the following potential agriculture precincts:
»» The Fitzroy River Agriculture Corridor
»» The Dawson River Agriculture Corridor
»» The Mackenzie River Agriculture Corridor
»» The Gladstone Agribusiness Corridor.
Project Development
Projects directly related to the proposed development of the Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor.
»» Transport networks
»» Water allocations
»» Energy allocations
»» Private investment
»» Business growth support
»» Skilling and employment
»» Telecommunications
»» Marketing and branding
The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor
Objectives
To promote Growing Central Queensland as the key vehicle to accelerate the development of public and
private investment into agricultural businesses and infrastructure.
The proposed Rookwood and Eden Bann Weirs will add and extra 112,000ML to the existing 137,000ML.
Background
The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor has been identified through the original Fitzroy Industry and Infrastructure
Study, as potential for development of an agricultural corridor along the Fitzroy River and surrounding region.
Within this area, the potential exists to establish intensive livestock and horticultural enterprises. There is
currently opportunity for landholders and investors to develop and expand current operations.
»» Suitable for development of several large scale beef cattle feedlots, piggeries and some potential
for horticulture.
»» Studies indicated feedlots as most economically attractive investment (2006).
»» Close to meatworks, labour force and good access to grain.
»» Detailed studies completed and nine potential development areas identified (all Greenfield sites).
»» Has the support of State and Local Governments.
»» Public consultation undertaken (2007).
Project mandate
Synthesised within:
»» Australian Government
›› Development of Northern Australia
›› White Paper on the Competitiveness of the Agricultural Sector
»» Queensland Government
›› RegionsQ framework
›› Agriculture Strategy – doubling production by 2040
›› Fitzroy Basin Resources Operations Plan
»» Central Queensland Local Government Councils of Mayors
›› Project of Significance
›› Stronger Choices Investment Program regional initiative
To develop priority regional projects to leverage a proposed investment prospectus for the Fitzroy River
Agricultural Corridor.
Project Considerations
»» Rookwood Weir
»» Eden Bann Weir
»» Connors Dam
»» Nathan Dam
Growing Central Queensland Agricultural Corridors
Charters
Towers
Regional
Mackay
Regional
Whitsunday
Regional
Mackay
Cairns
Rockhampton
Longreach
Brisbane
R.
s
R.
Proposed Connors Dam
Styx R.
Isaac
Regional
ac
Co n
no
r
Isa
c
aa
Is
Livingstone
Shire
aC
k.
kenzie
ac
Eden Bann Weir
Wei
2
Emerald
khampton
hampton
egional
Proposed Rockwood
od
d Weir
W
Wei
We
e
eir
R.
Barcaldine
Regional
tzroy R
.
a
No go
4
Gladstone
De
e
Comet R.
R.
Woorabinda
Aboriginal
Shire
D on .
R
C
ne
Gladstone
Regional
R.
3
Boy
Central
Highlands
Regional
liope
al
R.
T heres
M
R.
R.
1
D
a
oa
.
ws
R
o
.
No
nR
g
Bundaberg
Regional
Blackall
Tambo
Regional
Banana
Shire
Proposed Nathan Dam
North
Burnett
Regional
Da wso n R.
Gympie
Regional
Maranoa
Regional
Murweh
Shire
1:2,200,000
(at original A3 size)
0
25
50
75
100
South Burnett
Regional
Western
Downs
Regional
125
Roma
Kilometres
Coordinate System: Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994
Legend
Fitzroy Statistical Area Level 4
Barcaldine Regional
Major Places
Blackall Tambo
Regional
Major Watercourses
LGA
Banana
Charters Towers
Regional
Gladstone Regional
Bundaberg Regional
Gympie Regional
Central Highlands
Regional
Isaac Regional
Fitzroy and Central West Inc.
Western Downs
Regional
1
Mackenzie River Agricultural Corridor
Whitsunday Regional
2
Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor
South Burnett
Regional
Woorabinda
3
Dawson River Agricultural Corridor
Toowoomba Regional
Dams
4
Gladstone Agribusiness Corridor
Livingstone
Paroo
Mackay Regional
Rockhampton
Regional
Maranoa Regional
Murweh
North Burnett Regional
25 Yeppoon Road
Parkhurst Q 4701
PO Box 307
Rockhampton Q 4700
P: 07 4923 6217
E: ceo@rdafcw.com.au
www.rdafcw.com.au