Strengthening North Queensland

The North Queensland region encompasses five major regional centres: Burdekin, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island and Townsville. The region contributes an annual economic output of over $43.1 billion annually¹ to the Queensland economy and is home to over 243,000 people². The region has one of the most diverse economic bases in Australia and enjoys a stunning natural environment of reef, rainforest and outback, which, provide tourism growth opportunities and an attractive lifestyle for its residents.

The region is strategically positioned to provide goods and services via the extensive logistics network in the region for rail, road, sea and air. The network enables over $13.7 billion per annum of goods and services to be exported domestically and internationally¹. Our (NQRO) office is in Townsville and is one of 11 regional offices across Queensland supporting business and industry to mature, grow and invest.

Our North Queensland regional office is one of eleven regional offices across Queensland supporting business and industry to mature, grow and invest.

Key features of North Queensland

Population

243,798 (2024) – expected to increase to 324,317 by 2041.²

Strengths

• Industry diversity – all 19 industry sectors represented with over 16,000 businesses operating in the region. GRP for the region is $21.0 billion¹
• Largest general cargo and container port in Northern Australia. The Port of Townsville is Australia’s leading exporter of zinc, lead, sugar, fertiliser and molasses.
• Largest Australian defence base in Townsville
• Health and knowledge centre for North Queensland with world -leading research centres in tropical health and marine science
• Two universities - James Cook University (JCU) and CQ University (CQU)
• Headquarters for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and leading research organisation CSIRO
• Education centre for north and north-west Queensland with high-quality boarding and public schools
• 300+ days of sunshine a year
• Two world-class refineries based in Townsville refining copper and zinc
• Transport and logistics hub for servicing north and north-west Queensland
• Major domestic airport connecting directly to over 14 destinations across Australia
• Established tourism industry with attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, the Museum of Underwater Art and the Yongala wreck (one of the world's top dive sites)
• Mining and industrial commercial service centre for North and North-West Queensland
• Home to three national sporting teams – North Queensland Cowboys (Men's and Women's league representation in NRL) and Townsville Fire (Women's National Basketball League)

Industries

The region's top five output industries (with total regional output $25 billion) are:

• manufacturing
• public administration and safety (includes defence, public order, safety and regulatory services)
• construction
• rental, hiring and real estate services
• health care and social assistance

The region's top five value add industries (with total regional value-add $19.60 billion) are:

• public administration and safety (includes defence, public order and safety and regulatory services)
• rental, hiring and real estate services
• health care and social assistance
• construction
• education and training

Key projects

• Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF)
• CopperString 2032
• The North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ SPARK)
• TropIQ – Townsville Tropical Intelligence and Health Precinct
• Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Redevelopment
• Ark Energy - SunHQ Green Hydrogen Project
• Burdekin Dam Wall Raising
• WindLab - Gawara Baya Wind Farm
• Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct
  • Solquartz – Green Poly
  • Edify Energy – Green Hydrogen Project
  • Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) - TECH Project
  • Vecco Group – Electrolyte Manufacturing Facility
• Latan Data Centre and Renewable Energy Project
• Australian and Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI)
• Army Aviation Program of Works (AAPoW)
• JetZero and LanzaJet – Sustainable Aviation Fuel plant
• Sky Renewables – Project Lion
• Rio Tinto Burdekin Biodiesel

State development areas

• Townsville State Development Area

Events and activities

View upcoming events and opportunities in the region. Our workshops and industry briefings support businesses at all stages of project supply chains.

You can also view pre-recorded sessions on how to promote your business’ products and services to others.

Contact us

Contact our North Queensland regional office.

Defence Industry Hub

The Defence Industry Hub helps businesses become 'defence ready' to access defence supply-chain opportunities.

• View the North and Far North Queensland Maritime Industry Supply Chain Report ( 3.4 MB) to explore the regions’ capabilities in supporting the maritime industry.

Defence Jobs Queensland
P 0436 935 645 E defenceindustryhub.townsville@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au

References:

1. REMPLAN 2024 R1
2. Qld Government SA4