Strengthening Darling Downs South West

This vast and economically diverse region is proud to be the home of regional towns such as Toowoomba, Dalby, Warwick, Roma, Cunnamulla, Goondiwindi, Thargomindah, Quilpie, St. George 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

292,481 (30 June 2024) – expected to increase to 316,179 (by 2046).

Employment

• Labour force 154,231 (Dec Quarter 2024)
• Unemployment rate 2.47% (Dec Quarter 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.
• 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 energy, resource recovery, and manufacturing. The region has long been a major contributor to the energy mix from coal seam gas, windfarms, coal and oil. The energy sector is supported by a strong and innovative supply chain in the mining technologies, engineering services and manufacturing sectors with a wealth of expertise built up, not only in the region, but also domestically and internationally.
• Our construction sectors are experiencing significant investment in major projects such as hospitals, housing, energy, transport and defence. Given the region’s substantial experience in construction, we are well positioned to participate in supply chains for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure.
• Demonstrating diversity, DDSW’s specialist technical, professional and creative services are also growing. Whilst not our largest value added or employing sector, it is having an impact. From architecture, IT services such as Pulse Data Centre, legal and accounting services through to creative industries such as First Nations artists the region is fostering growth and adaptability.

Main industries

Value added by industry sector DDSW 2024