Strengthening North West Queensland

North West Queensland spans nine local government areas: Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, and Richmond. With its rich natural assets, diverse economy and strategic connectivity, the region is well-positioned for continued growth and development.

Renowned for its abundant mineral wealth, including zinc, silver, copper, phosphate and lead, North West Queensland is a powerhouse of mining and minerals processing. The North West Minerals Province is also positioned to capitalise on growing markets for critical minerals such as cobalt, vanadium and graphite, further cementing its role as a key player in the resources sector.

The region’s economy is supported by a range of industries, including agriculture, with a strong focus on beef production and an expanding broadacre cropping sector, as well as commercial fishing.

Tourism is an emerging contributor to the economy, driven by unique attractions like the Riversleigh Fossil World Heritage Area and the region’s rich First Nations culture, which showcase its natural and cultural heritage. National parks and Indigenous cultural sites further enhance North West Queensland’s appeal as a thriving outback tourism destination.

Strategically located, the region serves as a vital transport corridor with established supply chains and direct access to major routes and Asian markets. The Great Artesian Basin, the world’s largest natural aquifer, also underpins industry and community sustainability.

North West Queensland’s geographic position offers significant potential to support Australia’s National Defence Strategy, providing logistical advantages for military mobility, training and regional security operations across northern Australia.

The region has a total land area of 307,082.2 km², with an average daily temperature range of 18.6°C to 32.5°C and average annual rainfall of 573 mm.

Our North West Queensland regional office is one of 11 regional offices across Queensland supporting businesses to mature, grow and invest.

Support is facilitated via one-on-one interactions, information, presentations and workshops (both online and face-to-face). A number of pre-recorded sessions are also available on how to promote your business’s products and services to others.

Key features of North West Queensland

Population

31,095 (ERP 2024p ABS)

Employment

Labour force 17,620 (March quarter 2025)

Strengths

Natural assets and resources

• Renowned for abundant mineral wealth, including zinc, silver, copper, phosphate and lead.
• Home to the North West Minerals Province, well-positioned to capitalise on growing markets for critical minerals such as cobalt, vanadium and graphite.
• Supported by the Great Artesian Basin, the world’s largest natural aquifer, ensuring industry and community sustainability.

Economic diversity

• A resilient economy driven by mining, minerals processing and agriculture.
• Strong agricultural base, with a focus on beef production and an expanding broadacre cropping sector.
• Commercial fishing contributes to the region’s economic mix.

Tourism and cultural heritage

• A growing tourism sector, featuring attractions like the Riversleigh Fossil World Heritage Area and rich First Nations culture.
• National parks and Indigenous cultural sites enhance the region’s appeal as a thriving outback tourism destination.

Strategic connectivity

• Strategically located as a vital transport corridor with established local supply chains.
• Direct access to major routes and Asian markets, supporting trade and economic growth.

Defence opportunities

• Strategic geographic position offers potential to support Australia’s National Defence Strategy.
• Provides logistical advantages for military mobility, training, and regional security operations across northern Australia.

Economic overview

Main industries

• Mining and minerals processing
• Agriculture, beef
• Construction
• Health care & social assistance
• Rental, hiring, and real estate services
• Tourism

The North West Queensland region has many economic strengths that drive employment and output in the region. With abundant land and coastline, rich mineral resources and a well-skilled workforce, the region’s key industries include mining and mineral processing, manufacturing (predominately mining by-products), construction and agriculture and fishing. There is significant economic activity in mining for minerals such as zinc, silver, copper, phosphate and lead, as well as beef cattle production. Collectively, these industries contribute almost 87 per cent of gross regional output.

Key projects

• 29 Metals Capricorn Copper Recovery and Extension Project (Critical infrastructure project)
• CopperString 2032 Project (Critical infrastructure project)
• Harmony Eva Copper Mine Project
• Julia Creek Vanadium and Energy Project
• Multicom Saint Elmo Vanadium Project
• North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy
• Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium Project
• PhosOne Project
• Vecco Critical Minerals Project

The North West Minerals Province pipeline of projects is an initiative of the North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy and provides awareness of upcoming employment and business opportunities. Government is partnering with proponents to progress many of these projects to help boost local economies.

Local content activities

We’re committed to providing local businesses with full, fair and reasonable opportunities to participate in government and non-government projects across Queensland.  This is done by delivering a range of activities to help local businesses find project opportunities, compete for work and improve their tendering and supply chain capabilities.

View all upcoming events and opportunities in the region including:

• workshops
• mentoring services
• industry briefings that support businesses at all stages of project supply chains

You can also learn more about the regional manufacturing hubs and support provided to the region.

Mount Isa Transition Fund

The Queensland Government is investing up to $50 million to support workers affected by the closure in 2025 of Glencore’s Mount Isa copper mine and copper concentrator and the Lady Loretta zinc mine. Glencore‘s other regional assets will remain operational. In addition to the $30 million Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program delivered by Queensland Treasury in conjunction with the Department of Resources, the support package includes up to $20 million for an economic structural adjustment through the Mount Isa Transition Fund.

The Fund aims to support job creation for the local workforce, and strengthen the economy, liveability and community resilience in Mount Isa.

The Mount Isa and Region Futures Advisory Committee will support the delivery of the Fund through place-based advice to the government.

Further information

Contact our North West Queensland regional office on 07 4747 3900 or NWQ@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au to find out more.