Greater Whitsunday - Regional Projects Pipeline
In 2025-26 the Queensland Government will deliver an infrastructure and capital works program of more $600M in the Greater Whitsunday region, providing essential infrastructure to meet the needs of residents and support 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.
Quick links
Overview
The data in the 2025-26 Greater Whitsunday Regional Projects Pipeline includes detailed information sourced from private developers and investors. It also includes projects within the Queensland Government Capital Statement 2025-26.
The pipeline provides information on projects currently under construction but not yet completed. It also includes committed and planned projects.
The information can help local contractors and suppliers ready themselves for future opportunities within the Greater Whitsunday region.
This pipeline of projects will create jobs, sustain economic growth and support a secure future for the region.
Strong job growth and low unemployment
The Greater Whitsunday region’s labour market remains strong. Unemployment fell over the year to June 2025 (-1.6%). The rate of 2% is now the lowest unemployment rate in all of Queensland’s regions and is lower than the Queensland (4%) and Australian (4.2%) averages.
Queensland’s growing population has been driven by high overseas and interstate migration. After growing by 2.3% in 2023-24, Queensland’s population is forecast to grow a further 1.4% before 2031.
Robust population growth combined with Queensland’s strong economy has supported jobs growth across the state. Over the year to June 2025, employment has increased in Queensland by 81,700 persons. Overall, Queensland’s unemployment rate over the year to June 2025 has remained steady at 4%, with a participation rate of 67.3%.
Source: Queensland Treasury. Population growth highlights and trends, Queensland, 2025 edition and Labour Force, June 2025
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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$3.6B worth of construction activity
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Another $5.4B in projects planned but not yet committed
There are several major public and private projects in the investment pipeline. These amount to $3.6B worth of construction activity, with another $5.4B in projects planned but not yet committed.
We increase Queensland content in the supply chains of major projects by providing local businesses with opportunities in 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:
- $2.87B Capricornia Pumped Hydro Project located 80km west of Mackay will create up to 600 construction jobs and 65 operational jobs (Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Component)
- $583M Lindeman Island Resort Redevelopment Project will create up to 800 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs
- $700M Bowen Pipeline Project will create up to 200 construction jobs and 1,200 jobs when operational.
Public pipeline investment
Public investment in the Greater Whitsunday Region over 2025-2026 is valued at more than $600M. New and continuing public projects such as the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct, new and upgraded social and community housing, and the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program are the major projects for the region.
The public pipeline will also see significant investment in health infrastructure with the Mackay Hospital expansion and Mackay Community Mental Health refurbishment.
Public pipeline - all projects
The existing QTenders system is being replaced by the VendorPanel system. As agencies are transitioned, their tender documents will only be available from VendorPanel. All public tenders will continue to be advertise on the QTenders site, however you will need to register your business with VendorPanel to access tender documents and respond to tenders.
Learn how to register or update your supplier profile.
Project | Department | Total project cost | Expenditure to 30-06-2025 | Budget 2025-26 | Post 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hall projects in Mackay - Whitsunday | Education | $17,226,000 | $5,947,000 | $5,035,000 | $6,244,000 |
Pioneer State High School – Home Economics upgrade | Education | $3,637,000 | $1,993,000 | $1,644,000 | |
Collinsville Men's Shed expansion | Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety | $400,000 | $400,000 | ||
Construct social housing | Housing and Public Works | $25,679,000 | Ongoing | ||
Upgrade existing social housing | Housing and Public Works | $3,907,000 | Ongoing | ||
Social housing land acquisition | Housing and Public Works | $1,920,000 | Ongoing | ||
Housing and Homelessness Services | Housing and Public Works | $3,905,000 | Ongoing | ||
Bowen and Maryborough Courthouses - heritage remediation works | Justice | $12,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $10,000,000 | |
North Queensland 18m Offshore Vessel | Primary Industries | $8,000,000 | $2,000,000 | ||
Airlie Beach Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat | Primary Industries | $450,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
Abbot Point rural fire brigade station | Queensland Fire Department | $800,000 | $500,000 | $300,000 | |
Mount Ossa rural fire brigade station | Queensland Fire Department | $800,000 | $200,000 | $600,000 | |
Mackay Community Mental Health Refurbishment | Queensland Health | $18,511,000 | $705,000 | $6,256,000 | $11,550,000 |
Mackay police facility upgrade | Queensland Police Service | $9,310,000 | $941,000 | $8,369,000 | |
Proserpine replacement police facility | Queensland Police Service | $9,828,000 | $895,000 | $6,705,000 | $2,228,000 |
Lotus Creek Wind Farm | Queensland Treasury - CS Energy Limited | $1,283,000,000 | $523,091,000 | $200,446,000 | $559,463,000 |
Other network replacement, augmentation, and connections - Mackay | Queensland Treasury - Queensland Energy Limited | $186,553,000 | Ongoing | ||
Cannonvale-Jubilee Pocket 66 kilovolt reinforcement | Queensland Treasury - Queensland Energy Limited | $44,000,000 | $37,436,000 | $6,564,000 | |
Customer initiated works - Mackay | Queensland Treasury - Queensland Energy Limited | $19,262,000 | Ongoing | ||
Great Barrier Reef Arena | Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games | $23,500,000 | $1,000,000 | $22,500,000 | |
Isaac Resources Centre of Excellence | State Development, Infrastructure and Planning | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | ||
Salisbury Plains Industrial Precinct | State Development, Infrastructure and Planning - Economic Development Queensland | $9,767,000 | $3,187,000 | $2,080,000 | $4,500,000 |
Rosella Mackay (Stage 1) | State Development, Infrastructure and Planning - Economic Development Queensland | $16,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $15,000,000 | |
Active Transport - Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $1,800,000 | $451,000 | $1,274,000 | $75,000 |
Bruce Highway Upgrade Program – Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $850,000,000 | $26,523,000 | $5,000,000 | $818,477,000 |
Maritime Infrastructure - Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $10,000,000 | $10,000 | $500,000 | $9,490,000 |
State Road Network Upgrades – Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $243,160,000 | $35,795,000 | $29,627,000 | $177,738,000 |
Targeted Road Safety Programs – Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $26,275,000 | $2,568,000 | $9,127,000 | $14,580,000 |
Other construction - Mackay Whitsunday | Transport and Main Roads | $29,473,000 | Ongoing | ||
Towage Infrastructure for Port of Abbot Point - Feasibility Studies | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $8,280,000 | $780,000 | $1,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
Middle Breakwater Fuel Line Supports Replacement | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $12,461,000 | $11,461,000 | $1,000,000 | |
Bowen Wharf | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $49,958,000 | $2,485,000 | $1,550,000 | $45,950,000 |
Wharf 1 Extension - Feasibility Studies | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $5,000,000 | $400,000 | $2,100,000 | $2,500,000 |
George Bell Dr Heavy Duty Laydown | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $18,518,000 | $618,000 | $17,900,000 | |
New Port of Mackay Office | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $12,334,000 | $834,000 | $1,000,000 | $10,500,000 |
Mulherin Park Improvement | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $1,385,000 | $135,000 | $500,000 | $750,000 |
Buildings and Land Development | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $5,026,000 | Ongoing | ||
Port Facilities | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $200,000 | Ongoing | ||
Marine Infrastructure | Transport and Main Roads - North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd | $2,000,000 | $5,947,000 | $250,000 | $1,750,000 |
Source: 2025-26 Budget Paper 3 – Public projects listed as Greater Whitsunday (statistical area 312)
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/.
Queensland Charter for Local Content
The Queensland Government aims to increase the participation of capable Queensland businesses supplying into major government procurement opportunities to help stimulate employment, regional development and economic growth.
The government facilitates the integration of Queensland companies into supply chains for major projects through the department's delivery of workshops and briefings, and adherence to the Queensland Charter for Local Content.
In the 2024-2025 financial year, the Queensland Charter for Local Content was applied to 132 new eligible projects. Across reported projects, 1,728 Queensland suppliers, including 61 Indigenous suppliers, had opportunities to enter supply chains. Project reports indicated $2.91B in contracts were awarded throughout Queensland, including $268M in regional and $29M to Indigenous suppliers.
Local content outcomes in Greater Whitsunday
Three projects, worth a total estimated $85.96M, reported local content outcomes in the 2024/25 financial year:
- Sarina Hospital Redevelopment
- New Airlie Beach Fire and Rescue Station
- Mackay Ring Road Bald Hill Connection.
Across these three projects, 301 Queensland suppliers, including 79 new Queensland suppliers, had the opportunity to enter supply chains. Project reports showed $58.47M in contracts was awarded throughout Queensland, including $37.38M to regional suppliers. The breakdown for each project outcome is outlined below.
Sarina Hospital Redevelopment
- $20.40M Total supply chain spend
- $20.03M Queensland supply chain spend
- $15.75M Regional Queensland supply chain spend
New Airlie Beach Fire and Rescue Station
- $4.41M Total supply chain spend
- $4.37M Queensland supply chain spend
- $4.21M Regional Queensland supply chain spend
Mackay Ring Road Bald Hill Connection
- $35.15M Total supply chain spend
- $33.80M Queensland supply chain spend
- $16.38M Regional Queensland supply chain spend
New projects
The department will facilitate four new projects for the Greater Whitsunday Region:
- Lindeman Island Resort Phase 1
- Social Housing in Mackay
- Capricornia Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage and Transmission Project
- new Police Station at Proserpine.
Regional delivery plan
As part of the 2025-2026 Queensland Budget, the Mackay Whitsundays Regional Delivery Plan focuses on:
- making our community safer
- delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders
- driving down cost of living pressures for families
- delivering more free healthcare than ever before
- building generational infrastructure.
About our region
The Greater Whitsunday region is one of the most naturally beautiful and resource-rich locations in Australia. It contributes more than $79B in economic output to the Australian economy. Read more about Greater Whitsunday's strengths and features.
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Last updated: 16 Dec 2025