Strengthening Darling Downs South West

This vast and economically diverse region is centred on the regional capital of Toowoomba and is supported by significant regional towns such as Dalby, Warwick, Roma, Goondiwindi and Charleville.

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

Key features of Darling Downs South West

Population

289,054 (30 June 2023) – expected to increase to 316,179 (by 2046).

Employment

• Labour force 131,651 (Dec 2023)
• Unemployment rate Toowoomba, 4.9% and Darling Downs – Maranoa, 2.4% (Jan 2024)

Strengths

• The Darling Downs South West region is a Transport and logistics hub with high performing infrastructure linking the region to the world by air, rail and road. Assets such as the Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport and the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precincts, Toowoomba Wellcamp Trade Distribution Centre and InterlinkSQ, all situated with close connectivity to the recently completed $1.6B Toowoomba bypass and Warrego highway upgrades. A future regional freight hub for the Inland Rail between Brisbane and Melbourne will only enhance this strength.
• A resilient and diverse region building a responsible and sustainable future guided by the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) principles with a strong First Nations business network operating across the region. Regional leaders are working collaboratively to build on existing business capability, capacity and engagement.
• The Darling Downs has long been known as Queensland’s food bowl, and the cattle production and meat processing sector is the region’s highest food value chain, worth more than $1 billion each year. The region represents Australia’s leading agricultural sector in production and innovation and hosts the AATLIS Innovation Precinct, which is supporting agtech innovation, not only within the region but within the State. The region is also experiencing growth in the feed-lotting and associated beef and small livestock processing sectors. There is a long and proud history in the region and it boasts export orientated processors located across the region and assets including industry renowned livestock selling centres.
• Leaders in innovative industries such as renewables, resource recovery, and manufacturing. Home to the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone, the region is experiencing significant growth in clean energy production from both wind and solar projects. The renewable sector is supported by a strong and innovative supply chain in the manufacturing sector that has built expertise across agriculture, mining, civil construction and coal seam gas.

Main industries

Value added by industry sector DDSW 22/23