The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor
Transcription
The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor
Fitzroy and Central West Inc. Growing Central Queensland The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor October 2014 Overview Vision Growing Central Queensland is a regional initiative to capture sustainable agribusiness opportunities for individuals and communities across Central Queensland. Purpose To promote Growing Central Queensland as a key vehicle to encourage the development of catalytic agriculture infrastructure, by attracting public and private investment. This will lead to a number of infrastructure priorities and individual investment prospects being identified. In the first instance, Beef 2015 will be used as an opportunity to promote the first tranche of identified priority investment opportunities. Background The six local governments within the Fitzroy Statistical Divisional region, State Government Departments, Regional Economic Development Organisations and Australian Government agencies across the Central Queensland region met to discuss major cross-regional agricultural priorities and how to address them. Road, water, energy and export infrastructure were identified as major areas for infrastructure investment to support the agriculture sector – the backbone of our rural and remote communities. Process It has been agreed that Regional Development Australia Fitzroy and Central West will auspice the development of a Growing Central Queensland opportunities assessment and investment prospectus. This will draw on information from studies conducted by the Queensland State Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, CQUniversity and local government. The scope of the Growing Central Queensland opportunities assessment and investment prospectus will include (but not be limited to) the following potential agriculture precincts: »» The Fitzroy River Agriculture Corridor »» The Dawson River Agriculture Corridor »» The Mackenzie River Agriculture Corridor »» The Gladstone Agribusiness Corridor. Project Development Projects directly related to the proposed development of the Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor. »» Transport networks »» Water allocations »» Energy allocations »» Private investment »» Business growth support »» Skilling and employment »» Telecommunications »» Marketing and branding The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor Objectives To promote Growing Central Queensland as the key vehicle to accelerate the development of public and private investment into agricultural businesses and infrastructure. The proposed Rookwood and Eden Bann Weirs will add and extra 112,000ML to the existing 137,000ML. Background The Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor has been identified through the original Fitzroy Industry and Infrastructure Study, as potential for development of an agricultural corridor along the Fitzroy River and surrounding region. Within this area, the potential exists to establish intensive livestock and horticultural enterprises. There is currently opportunity for landholders and investors to develop and expand current operations. »» Suitable for development of several large scale beef cattle feedlots, piggeries and some potential for horticulture. »» Studies indicated feedlots as most economically attractive investment (2006). »» Close to meatworks, labour force and good access to grain. »» Detailed studies completed and nine potential development areas identified (all Greenfield sites). »» Has the support of State and Local Governments. »» Public consultation undertaken (2007). Project mandate Synthesised within: »» Australian Government ›› Development of Northern Australia ›› White Paper on the Competitiveness of the Agricultural Sector »» Queensland Government ›› RegionsQ framework ›› Agriculture Strategy – doubling production by 2040 ›› Fitzroy Basin Resources Operations Plan »» Central Queensland Local Government Councils of Mayors ›› Project of Significance ›› Stronger Choices Investment Program regional initiative To develop priority regional projects to leverage a proposed investment prospectus for the Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor. Project Considerations »» Rookwood Weir »» Eden Bann Weir »» Connors Dam »» Nathan Dam Growing Central Queensland Agricultural Corridors Charters Towers Regional Mackay Regional Whitsunday Regional Mackay Cairns Rockhampton Longreach Brisbane R. s R. Proposed Connors Dam Styx R. Isaac Regional ac Co n no r Isa c aa Is Livingstone Shire aC k. kenzie ac Eden Bann Weir Wei 2 Emerald khampton hampton egional Proposed Rockwood od d Weir W Wei We e eir R. Barcaldine Regional tzroy R . a No go 4 Gladstone De e Comet R. R. Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire D on . R C ne Gladstone Regional R. 3 Boy Central Highlands Regional liope al R. T heres M R. R. 1 D a oa . ws R o . No nR g Bundaberg Regional Blackall Tambo Regional Banana Shire Proposed Nathan Dam North Burnett Regional Da wso n R. Gympie Regional Maranoa Regional Murweh Shire 1:2,200,000 (at original A3 size) 0 25 50 75 100 South Burnett Regional Western Downs Regional 125 Roma Kilometres Coordinate System: Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 Legend Fitzroy Statistical Area Level 4 Barcaldine Regional Major Places Blackall Tambo Regional Major Watercourses LGA Banana Charters Towers Regional Gladstone Regional Bundaberg Regional Gympie Regional Central Highlands Regional Isaac Regional Fitzroy and Central West Inc. Western Downs Regional 1 Mackenzie River Agricultural Corridor Whitsunday Regional 2 Fitzroy River Agricultural Corridor South Burnett Regional Woorabinda 3 Dawson River Agricultural Corridor Toowoomba Regional Dams 4 Gladstone Agribusiness Corridor Livingstone Paroo Mackay Regional Rockhampton Regional Maranoa Regional Murweh North Burnett Regional 25 Yeppoon Road Parkhurst Q 4701 PO Box 307 Rockhampton Q 4700 P: 07 4923 6217 E: [email protected] www.rdafcw.com.au