Greater Whitsunday - Regional Projects Pipeline
In 2024-25 the Queensland Government will deliver a $1.3 billion infrastructure and capital works program in the Greater Whitsunday Region, providing essential infrastructure to meet the increasing service needs of residents and directly support an estimated 3,400 jobs.
We provide strategic support and regional development services throughout the Greater Whitsunday Region. Our work is focused on three key objectives: expanding businesses, growing industry and developing our region.
Services include:
- providing targeted local support to create jobs, investment and a pipeline of regional projects and services to enable delivery of the government’s priority sector roadmaps and strategies
- working closely with business, local governments and regional economic development organisations to identify distinct opportunities and advantages for industries with significant potential to attract new investment, expand business and drive local economies forward.
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Overview
The data contained within the 2023 Greater Whitsunday Major Projects Pipeline Booklet incorporates detailed information sourced from private developers and investors, plus projects noted within the Queensland Government Capital Statement 2023-24.
The booklet provides information on projects currently under construction but not yet completed, as well as committed and planned projects in the pipeline.
The information can be used by local contractors and suppliers to ensure they are ready to take advantage of the future opportunities and construction activity that Greater Whitsunday is currently experiencing.
With this strong capital program for the Greater Whitsunday region, we are confident that the pipeline of projects will create jobs, sustain economic growth, and support a secure future for the region.
Strong Jobs Growth and Low Unemployment
The Greater Whitsunday Region’s labour market continues to show resilience. Whilst unemployment rose over the year to June 2024 (+1.1 per cent) the unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent remains lower than the Queensland (4 per cent) and Australian rate (4.2 per cent).
Queensland’s growing population, currently totalling 5.5 million, has been driven by nation leading interstate migration and a substantial rebound in net overseas migration after international borders were reopened. After growing by 2.4 per cent in 2022-23, Queensland’s population is forecast to grow a further 2.5 per cent in 2023-24, before easing to growth of 1.5 per cent in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Robust population growth combined with Queensland’s strong economy have supported jobs growth across the state. Over the year to June 2024 employment has increased in Queensland by 130,535 persons. Overall Queensland’s unemployment rate over the year to June 2024 has remained steady at 4 per cent, with a participation rate of 66.7 per cent.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022, December). National, state and territory population. ABS.
Source: ABS Cat. 6291.0.55.001 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, June 2024
Source: Queensland Treasury
Public and Private project pipeline investments
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Several major public and private projects in the investment pipeline over the next year
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$2 billion worth of construction activity
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• Another $2.6 billion in projects planned but not yet committed
There are several major public and private projects in the investment pipeline over the next year which amounts to $2 billion worth of construction activity, with another $2.6 billion in projects planned but not yet committed. We increase Queensland content in the supply chains of major projects by 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 support local businesses find project opportunities, compete for work, and improve their tendering and supply chain capabilities.
Major private projects planned for the region include:
- $6.5 billion Capricornia Energy Hub located 80 km west of Mackay will create up to 600 construction jobs and 65 operational jobs (PHES Component).
- $518 million Broadsound Solar Farm.
- $50 million Mackay Airport Expansion and Accommodation Precinct.
- Cauldron Ferm Bio-Manufacturing Plant.
Public Pipeline Investment
The amount of public investment in Greater Whitsunday over the next year is valued at $1.4 billion. New and continuing public projects such as the Walkerston Bypass, Mackay Port Access Road and connections to the Mackay Ring Road are the major road projects for the region.
The pipeline will also see significant investment in health infrastructure with the construction of the new Moranbah Hospital and Mackay Base Hospital and carpark expansion.
Public Pipeline - all projects
For supply chain opportunities associated with commenced or committed projects please register with QTenders.
| Location | Proponent / Department | Project | Total Project ($m) | Expenditure to 30-06-24 ($m) | 2024-25 ($m) | Post 2024-25 ($m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Collinsville | Department of Education | Collinsville State High School - Refurbish learning space | .559 | .301 | .258 | |
Mackay / Whitsunday | Department of Education | Hall projects in Mackay - Whitsunday | 17.226 | .180 | 4.515 | 12.531 |
Koumala | Department of Education | Koumala State School - Amenities upgrades | .731 | .731 | ||
Mirani | Department of Education | Mirani State High School - Refurbish learning space | 1.892 | .172 | 1.720 | |
Moranbah | Department of Education | Moranbah East State School - Additional classrooms | 10.762 | 3.160 | 3.002 | 4.600 |
Moranbah | Department of Education | Moranbah State High School - Additional classrooms | 12.277 | 4.181 | 6.256 | 1.840 |
Proserpine | Department of Education | Proserpine State School - Carpark upgrade | 1.135 | .034 | 1.101 | |
Sarina | Department of Education | Sarina State High School - Refurbish learning | 5.568 | .620 | 4.948 | |
Sarina | Department of Education | Swayneville State School - Carpark upgrade | .344 | .065 | .279 | |
St Lawrence | Department of Energy and Climate | New Renewables and Firming - Lotus Creek Wind Farm | 1.305.389 | 500.000 | 805.389 | |
Mackay | Department of Energy and Climate | Network augmentation - Mackay |
| 24.818 | Ongoing | |
Whitsunday | Department of Energy and Climate | Cannonvale-Jubilee Pocket 66 kilovolt reinforcement | 52.796 | 40.370 | 12.426 | |
Mackay | Department of Energy and Climate | Network replacement - Mackay |
| 111.273 | Ongoing | |
Whitsunday | Department of Environment, Science and Innovation | Whitsunday Islands National Park - Ngaro track | 6.301 | 2.801 | 3.500 | |
Mackay | Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works | Construct social housing - Mackay |
| 15.321 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works | Upgrade existing social housing - Mackay |
| 2.836 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works | Social housing land acquisition - Mackay |
| .800 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works | Housing and Homelessness Services - Mackay |
| 4.589 | Ongoing | |
Whitsunday | Queensland Fire Department | Airlie Beach replacement permanent and auxiliary fire and rescue station | 10.100 | 2.550 | 7.550 | |
Bowen | Queensland Fire Department | Abbot Point rural fire brigade station | .600 | .600 | ||
Mount Ossa | Queensland Fire Department | Mount Ossa rural fire brigade station | .600 | .600 | ||
Mackay | Queensland Health and Hospital and Health Services | Mackay Community Mental Health Refurbishment | 6.000 | .465 | 5.535 | |
Proserpine | Queensland Health and Hospital and Health Services | Proserpine Hospital Acute Primary Care Clinic Upgrade | 5.000 | .025 | 4.975 | |
Mackay | Queensland Health and Hospital and Health Services | Information Communication and Technology - Mackay ROU Lease | 4.741 | 1.183 | 1.315 | 2.243 |
Clermont | Queensland Police Service | Clermont replacement police facility | 5.755 | .801 | 4.954 | |
Mackay | Queensland Police Service | Mackay police facility upgrade | 4.000 | .605 | 3.395 | |
Proserpine | Queensland Police Service | Proserpine replacement police facility | 7.600 | .511 | 5.989 | 1.100 |
Moranbah | Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water | Burdekin Moranbah Pipeline - inline storage | 4.000 | 4.000 | ||
Moranbah | Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water | Burdekin Moranbah Pipeline - pumping reliability improvement project | 34.292 | 3.224 | 6.000 | 25.068 |
Pioneer Valley | Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water | Eungella Water Pipeline (stage 3) | 12.344 | 8.095 | 4.249 | |
Bowen | Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning | Sailsbury Plains Industrial Precinct | 6.813 | 3.063 | .250 | 3.500 |
Mackay / Proserpine | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Palm Tree and Blackrock Creek bridges, strengthen bridges | 13.500 | 7.873 | 2.227 | 3.400 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1) | 350.000 | 21.804 | 8.000 | 320.196 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) | 497.375 | 426.709 | 21.446 | 49.221 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Peak Downs Highway (Nebo - Mackay), Kirkup Bridge (Walkerston), replace timber bridge | 11.000 | 1.709 | 1.000 | 8.291 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Peak Downs Highway (Nebo - Mackay), Walkerston to Racecourse, improve road safety | 14.500 | 2.200 | 6.150 | 6.150 |
Whitsunday | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road, Paluma Road to Valley Drive (Cannonvale), duplicate to four lanes | 39.700 | 13.669 | 4.000 | 22.031 |
Whitsunday | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road, Valley Drive to Tropic Drive (Cannonvale), duplicate to four lanes | 34.000 | 5.734 | 2.713 | 25.553 |
Whitsunday | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road, Hamilton Plains, flood immunity upgrade | 24.000 | 5.440 | 2.000 | 16.560 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Walkerston Bypass | 251.700 | 160.577 | 52.320 | 38.803 |
Mackay / Whitsunday | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Other construction - Mackay Whitsunday District (Transport and Main Roads) |
| 63.804 | Ongoing | |
Dysart / Moranbah | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Saraji Road, Phillips Creek, replace bridge | 18.000 | 1.200 | 15.800 | 1.000 |
Hay Point | Department of Transport and Main Roads | 5 Yearly Dredging at Hay Point |
| 3.329 | Ongoing | |
Bowen | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Bowen Wharf - planning and designs | 4.961 | .961 | 2.000 | 2.000 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Grain rail loop end of life upgrade | 2.000 | 2.000 | ||
Abbot Point | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Hydrogen trade studies |
| .250 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Louisa Creek Acquisition Program |
| 1.052 | Ongoing | |
Abbot Point | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Marine Offloading Facility Expansion – Stage 1 | 4.046 | .046 | 2.000 | 2.000 |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Middle Breakwater Fuel Line Support Replacement | 6.667 | .667 | 6.000 | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Mulherin Park Improvement |
| .250 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | New Container Heavy Duty Laydown Area | 18.000 | 8.000 | 10.000 | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited - Port Development General |
| 2.529 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Port of Mackay New Administration Building |
| 2.500 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Wharf 1 Laydown Area |
| 1.000 | Ongoing | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Wharf 1 Western Deck Extension - planning | 1.900 | 1.000 | .900 | |
Mackay | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Wharf 5 Dolphin Walkways | 1.500 | 1.500 |
Industry Capability Network (ICN) Outlook
This year, Queensland is strategically positioned for growth and development. ICN Queensland is observing a convergence of efforts between the state government and private and public sectors to invest in skills and infrastructure, enhancing capability development. The increasing collaboration across industries such as defence, energy, aerospace, battery storage, biofutures, hydrogen, wind, solar, and more is safeguarding the state's value and ensuring its resilience for the future.
The ongoing growth in key sectors such as construction, energy, defence, and infrastructure drives a robust pipeline of projects. However, a significant challenge lies in the shortage of skilled labour within supply chains. To address this gap, the government actively backs the industry with initiatives like introducing Manufacturing Skills Queensland, free TAFE programs, and other support measures.
With the 2032 climate-positive Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, companies are seizing this opportunity to showcase reduced carbon emissions and aim for net zero to participate in the games. In alignment with this goal, ICN has partnered with Green2view, an Australian firm specialising in software and data benchmarking focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters.
A wealth of opportunities is available for investment and participation in projects throughout Queensland.
Hospital Boom Continuing
This year, the Queensland Health Capacity Expansion Program achieved a milestone by securing a record-breaking $11.215 billion investment in Queensland Hospitals. This substantial capital infusion will result in the addition of 2,200 extra overnight beds spread across 15 facilities within the next six years. The contractors for each facility have been officially announced, with several already featured on the ICN Gateway, signalling progress and momentum in implementing this ambitious healthcare infrastructure initiative.
The scope of these projects are broad. ICN Queensland and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning are working closely with awarded contractors to maximise local industry participation across the entire supply chain. Be sure to check and update your ICN profile to ensure your company is EOI-ready as relevant work packages open.
Renewable Energy Growth
Mackay Isaac Whitsunday plays a vital role in bolstering our state's renewable energy capacity through the operation of solar farms and biofuel initiatives.
By the start of 2024, eight solar farms with a combined energy production capacity exceeding 500MW were operational in this region.
These projects encompass a wide range of opportunities. ICN Queensland and DSDI collaborate closely with awarded contractors to optimise local industry involvement throughout the supply chain. Reviewing and maintaining your ICN profile is essential to ensure that your company is prepared to express interest as relevant work packages become available.
To stay up to date on all things major projects and future industries, ensure you regularly check and update your ICN Gateway profile and get in touch with your local consultant.
To start browsing projects and suppliers register on the ICN Gateway at https://gateway.icn.org.au/.
Regional Action Plan
As part of the 2024-2025 Queensland Budget the Mackay-Whitsunday Regional Action Plan supports good jobs, provides better services for all Queenslanders and protects our great lifestyle.
About Our Region
The Greater Whitsunday region is one of the most naturally beautiful and resource-rich locations in Australia contributing more than $46 billion in economic output to the Australian economy. Read more about it's strengths and key features.
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Last updated: 06 Nov 2024