Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study for the Shire of

Transcription

Livingstone Shire Council
Review of the Business/
Industry Scoping Study for
the Shire of Livingstone
January, 2002
This Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study
has been prepared on behalf of:
The report has been prepared by:
PO Box 1176
Unit 5/ 117 Merthyr Road
NEW FARM QLD 4005
Ph: 61 7 3358 5418
Fax: 61 7 3358 4287
email: [email protected]
website: www.sgs-pl.com.au
Offices also in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................I
STUDY BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................... I
The Original Business/ Industry Scoping Study, 1998............................................................................ i
Requirements of this Review ...................................................................................................................... i
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................................... I
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IN LIVINGSTONE SHIRE .............................................................. III
Priorities for Business and Industry in Livingstone Shire....................................................................... iii
Key Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. iii
1.
STUDY BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE.............................................................................................. 1
1.1
STUDY BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2
A VISION FOR LIVINGSTONE SHIRE ............................................................................................................. 1
1.3
PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.4
ESTABLISHING LIVINGSTONE’S STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ..................... 5
1.4.1
The Need for a Regional Perspective.................................................................................. 5
1.4.2
Building on the ‘Drivers’ of Local Economic Activity....................................................... 5
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
3.
THE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL ECONOMIC CONTEXT....................................................................... 7
THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DECLINE ........................................................................................................ 7
THE GROWTH IN TRANSFORMATIVE, VALUE ADDED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES ................................................. 8
THE RECOGNISED IMPORTANCE OF IMPORT REPLACEMENT ........................................................................ 9
THE GROWTH IN ELABORATELY TRANSFORMED MANUFACTURES (ETMS).................................................... 9
NEW PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AND CHANGING SKILL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 10
A RISE IN SERVICE SECTOR ACTIVITY ........................................................................................................ 11
ADVANCES IN COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY......................................................... 12
SUPPLY CHAIN (PRODUCTION) LEAKAGES ............................................................................................... 12
GREATER COMPETITION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT .................................................................................. 12
THE RISE OF THE ‘ENTERPRISE HOUSEHOLD’.......................................................................................... 13
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFESTYLE AND LIVABILITY .................................................................................... 13
REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS – CENTRAL QUEENSLAND .............................................................. 15
3.1
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND ECONOMY ...................................................................... 15
3.2
LIVINGSTONE, THE ROCKHAMPTON SUB-REGION, THE FITZROY REGION AND CENTRAL QUEENSLAND ....... 19
3.3
THE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND SUB-REGIONS COMPARED ........................................................................... 21
3.3.1
The Gladstone Area ............................................................................................................... 21
3.3.2
The Emerald Area.................................................................................................................... 21
3.3.3
The Mackay Area .................................................................................................................... 22
3.3.4
The Rockhampton Area ........................................................................................................ 22
4.
THE LIVINGSTONE ECONOMY IN THE SUB-REGIONAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT .................. 23
4.1
LIVINGSTONE SHIRE .................................................................................................................................. 23
4.2
THE ROCKHAMPTON SUB-REGIONAL ECONOMY ..................................................................................... 24
4.2.1
Key Industries in the Rockhampton Sub-region .............................................................. 25
4.2.2
Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Fitzroy Region ........................................................ 28
4.2.3
Change in Employment by Industry Sector, Rockhampton Sub-region ................. 30
4.3
IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIVINGSTONE SHIRE ............................. 33
5.
BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY PROSPECTS FOR LIVINGSTONE SHIRE.......................................................... 35
5.1
OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................................. 35
5.2
BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVINGSTONE SHIRE ........................................... 35
5.2.1
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing..................................................................... 35
5.2.2
Specialist Business Services to Mining and Manufacturing.......................................... 36
5.2.3
Food Processing and Associated Activities ..................................................................... 38
5.2.4
Timber Processing and Associated Manufacturing....................................................... 38
5.2.5
Transport, Warehousing and Distribution .......................................................................... 39
5.2.6
Retailing ..................................................................................................................................... 40
5.2.7
General Service Industry ....................................................................................................... 41
5.2.8
Tourism ........................................................................................................................................ 42
5.2.9
IT Service Industry .................................................................................................................... 43
5.2.10
Knowledge/ Home-Based Industry .................................................................................... 44
5.2.11
Education Services.................................................................................................................. 45
6.
6.1
7.
BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT........................................................................... 47
KEY LOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................ 47
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY – RETAIL DEVELOPMENT ........................ 62
7.1
RETAIL ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................................... 62
7.1.1
Preceding Recommendations ............................................................................................ 62
7.1.2
Existing Retail Floorspace in Livingstone Shire ................................................................. 63
7.1.3
Retail Demand in Livingstone Shire .................................................................................... 64
7.1.5
Livingstone’s Retail Requirements – Findings and Recommendations .................... 67
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY – DESIGNATED AREAS ........................... 69
ASSESSMENT OF THE PINEAPPLE PATCH SITE (AREA A) ............................................................................. 69
ASSESSMENT OF THE TARANGANBA/ TANBY ROAD SITE (AREA B) ............................................................ 74
ASSESSMENT OF THE EMU PARK INDUSTRY NODE (AREA C) ..................................................................... 75
QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES........................................................... 82
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY .................................................................................. 94
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: PEOPLE CONSULTED DURING THE COURSE OF THE STUDY
APPENDIX B: CONSULTATION FEEDBACK FORM AND ASSOCIATED INFORMATION
APPENDIX C: LIVINGSTONE SHIRE’S STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK
APPENDIX D: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND PROSPECTS IN CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
APPENDIX E: RETAIL DEFINITIONS
APPENDIX F: BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY STUDY AREA SITE DETAILS
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1:
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
Figure 4:
Figure 5:
Figure 6:
Figure 7:
Figure 8:
Figure 9:
Figure 10:
Figure 11:
Figure 12:
Figure 13:
Figure 14:
Figure 15:
Figure 16:
Figure 17:
Figure 18:
Figure 19:
Figure 20:
Figure 21:
Business/ Industry Scoping Study Areas ................................................3
Farmers’ Terms of Trade in Australia, 1953/54 to 1996/97...................8
Australia’s Manufactured Exports (AUD $m), 1987-88 to 1997/98 ..10
Average Annual Growth in Australia’s Service Exports by Type,
1985/86 – 1995/96...................................................................................11
The Central Queensland Region .........................................................16
Central Queensland by Local Government Area ...........................16
The Fitzroy Region (Statistical Division) ................................................20
The Rockhampton Sub-region .............................................................20
Employment by Industry Sector (%), Livingstone Shire and
Rockhampton Sub-region, 1996 ..........................................................24
Location Quotients, Employment by Industry Sector (sub-region/
Queensland), Rockhampton Sub-region, 1996 .................................26
Employment by Industry Sector, Rockhampton Sub-region,
Gladstone Sub-region and Fitzroy Statistical Division, 1996.............29
Location Quotients (Sub-region/ Queensland), Industry of
Employment, Gladstone Sub-region, 1996.........................................30
Change in Employment by Selected Industry Sector,
Rockhampton Sub-region, 1986-1996 .................................................31
Land Use Zoning – Area A and Surrounds ..........................................70
Land Use Constraints – Area A and Surrounds ..................................73
Land Use Zoning – Area B and Surrounds...........................................78
Land Use Constraints – Area B and Surrounds ...................................79
Land Use Zoning – Area C and Surrounds ..........................................80
Land Use Constraints – Area C and Surrounds ..................................81
Business/ Industry Frame Area - Yeppoon ..........................................98
Business/ Industry Frame Area – Emu Park........................................101
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Key Requirements of Business & Industry Opportunities for
Livingstone Shire .......................................................................................48
Table 2: Population and Household Forecasts for Livingstone Shire,
1996 - 2014 .................................................................................................65
Table 3: Retail Floorspace Needs, Livingstone Shire, 2001-2014 ......................68
Table 4: Site Assessment, Area A...........................................................................71
Table 5: Site Assessment, Area B ...........................................................................74
Table 6: Site Assessment, Area C ..........................................................................76
Table 7: Qualitative Assessment of Opportunities for Business and
Industry in Livingstone Shire.....................................................................84
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Study Background
The Original Business/ Industry Scoping Study, 1998
•
In 1997, Livingstone Shire Council commissioned the preparation of a
Business/Industry Scoping Study for the Livingstone Shire. Following its
completion, the study was amended in 1998. The original scoping study
identified new business and industry opportunities in the Livingstone Shire, and
nominated parcels of land to be serviced for the future establishment of such
industries. These are:
- Area A: The Pineapple Patch site in West Yeppoon/ Bondoola (436 hectares)
- Area B: In Taranganba near the intersection of Taranganba Rd and Tanby Rd
(322 hectares)
- Area C: Land including a former rifle range and existing industrial lots at
Emu Park (113 hectares)
•
The original study responded to Council’s (and the community’s) vision for the
economic development of Livingstone Shire, which is to maintain the shire’s high
quality natural environment and its lifestyle attributes, while accommodating a
variety of small, environmentally acceptable industries in appropriate locations
into the future.
Requirements of this Review
•
This Review has been prepared to reflect recent changes to business and industry
sectors in the wider region, and the intentions of the new IPA planning scheme
for Livingstone Shire, as indicated in the Statement of Proposals, released in April
2001.
•
Responding to Council’s vision for economic development in the shire is
paramount to this review, and compatibility with Council’s strategic planning
objectives is a key criteria in the assessment of identified opportunities for
business and industry development in the Livingstone Shire.
Business and Industry Opportunities
•
This review takes a regional assessment of business and industry structure and
trends. This allows for a better understanding of Livingstone Shire’s ‘place’ in
the wider regional context to be acquired so that opportunities for business and
industry are maximised.
•
Livingstone Shire is part of the Central Queensland region of Australia, and local
economic opportunities are in large part, determined by economic activity at this
SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd
Page i
wider regional level. Livingstone Shire is more immediately affected by trends,
developments and prospects in what can be termed the Rockhampton subregion.
By definition, the Rockhampton sub-region includes the local
government areas of Rockhampton, Fitzroy, Mount Morgan and Livingstone.
•
Consultation, research and analysis has determined that, in broad terms, the
driver sectors of economic activity in the Rockhampton sub-region, and those that
heavily influence opportunities for Livingstone Shire, are:
- Metal Product Manufacturing;
- Mineral Product Manufacturing;
- Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing;
- Mining;
- Agriculture and Food Processing;
- Power Generation; and
- (Tertiary) Education and Research.
•
The continued growth of the driver sectors in the region provides the
opportunity for the continued development of secondary or support industry,
which relies on these industrial strengths. Broadly speaking, these activities
include:
- Transport, Warehousing and Distribution;
- Services to Agriculture;
- Specialist Services to Mining and Manufacturing;
- Wholesale/ Retail Trade and General Service Industry
- Tourism-related activities; and
- Business and Industry Support Services.
•
Other sectors or activities that have potential to take advantage of the region’s
lifestyle attributes (including the full range of services and facilities available) are
the ‘knowledge based’ activities. These include:
- Home based knowledge workers such as consultants, lawyers, etc.;
- Specialist personal, household or business service providers; and
- High tech service industries (e.g. call centres).
•
These identified opportunities reflect Livingstone Shire’s ‘place’ in the regional
context. They also acknowledge a balance between the need to capitalise on
traditional strengths or drivers in new and innovative ways (e.g. value added
manufacturing) while embracing new opportunities that build on emerging
trends and needs (e.g. tourism, home-based business development and retail).
Page ii
Recommendations
Livingstone Shire
for
Business
and
Industry
in
Priorities for Business and Industry in Livingstone Shire
•
Consideration the Livingstone Shire’s lifestyle requirements, coupled with an
understanding of its ‘place’ in the regional economy, determined the need to
identify those business and industry activities that can support the development
of a diverse and robust local economy. The following business and industry
priorities have been identified for the Livingstone Shire:
- IT Service Industry.
- Knowledge-driven Home-based Business Activity.
- Tourist accommodation.
- Higher order business and technical services to mining, manufacturing and
agriculture.
- Education and related services.
•
Although they do not ‘drive’ the local economy, community services such as
retailing, general service industry and health, which are driven largely by the size
and needs of the local population, remain important to the economic
development of Livingstone Shire. To this end, these secondary sectors of
economic activity provide further opportunities for future business and industry
development.
Key Recommendations
Retail
•
The supply and demand for district level retail floorspace is in broad balance in
Livingstone Shire at the present time (i.e. 2001), based upon data from the ABS
Household Expenditure Survey, the ABS Retail Census and population data.
•
Population forecasts, which have been sourced from the Queensland Planning
and Information Forecasting Unit (PIFU) suggest that Yeppoon will be able to
support an additional 8,000 sqm of retail floorspace by about 2014. This could
comprise a full line supermarket (e.g. a 5,000 sqm Coles or Woolworths) plus 30
specialty shops. Using data on household expenditure and population growth,
and based on assumptions about retail expenditure capture suggest that the
trigger point for a new supermarket will be in about 8 years from now (i.e.
2009/10).
•
It is unlikely that a full line discount department store (e.g. a Big W, Kmart or
Target of approx. 7,500 sqm) could be supported in Yeppoon within a 14-year
horizon. However, a smaller version may be a possibility.
Page iii
•
The original scoping study proposed the reservation of a 30 hectare parcel of land
adjacent to Area B for the establishment of a new supermarket by around 2003.
However, using revised population forecasts from PIFU, and considering the
current retail floorspace needs of the area, it is advised that the reservation of
land for the development of a full-line supermarket in the next few years (i.e. by
2003) is not warranted. To this end, the proposed 30-hectare parcel of land at the
intersection of Tanby Road and Taranganba Road should not be designated in
Livingstone’s new planning scheme for the purpose of anticipated retail
development. However, this land would be suitable for the location of an IT
service centre/ call centre facility or similar low impact business and industry
(for the life of the IPA planning scheme under preparation).
•
The development of a supermarket or discount department store to the south of
Area B, at the intersection of Tanby Road and the future east-west arterial should
not be considered in the short to medium-term, but rather, the long-term.
Education
•
A parcel of land on the north-eastern corner of Tanby Road and Taranganba
Road has been previously nominated as the site for a future high school. Based
on discussions with Education Queensland and an analysis of population
forecasts provided by PIFU, it can safely be assumed that the Livingstone Shire
will require an additional primary school and a high school in the medium to
long-term (i.e. 15 years).
•
While a detailed consideration of alternative sites would be required as part of a
full needs assessment, it is likely that a future school facility would be most
appropriately located close to residential convenience in the Yeppoon/
Taranganba area.
•
It is recommended that the parcel of land on the north-eastern corner of Tanby
Road and Taranganba Road be reserved as Special Purpose to accommodate a
secondary or P-12 school in the medium term (15 years).
Business and Industry - Area A (Pineapple Patch)
•
Area A is located south-west of Yeppoon on the Yeppoon road. Approximately
436 hectares in area and triangular in shape, the site is removed from the
established urban area of Yeppoon with rural and semi-rural uses to the south
and east. Land to the immediate north-western boundary has varied uses
including residential and rural residential subdivision, a small industrial estate
and Council landfill site.
A sewerage treatment plant is also planned
immediately adjacent to the north-west of the site.
•
The topography of the Pineapple Patch site, and its distance from the established
urban areas of Yeppoon, makes the area conducive to land extensive industrial
development. The most appropriate development zone is in the west and southwest of the site, away from the site’s eastern slopes, which are visible from the
coast.
Page iv
•
The types of medium to heavy industrial activities that would be appropriate to
the Pineapple Patch site include:
- Mining and Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing and
Repairs.
- Technical Services to Mining (R&D, ore testing, exploration field support).
- Small-scale Fruit Processing.
- Transport, Storage and Distribution.
- Small-scale/ Niche Timber Processing and Value Adding (e.g. furniture
manufacture).
•
These uses would be compatible with nearby industrial land uses to the south
and west of Area A.
•
Before any development proceeds on the site, essential infrastructure would need
to be provided. If it does proceed, heavy industrial development would need to
address potential visual impacts on the Yeppoon Road.
•
The development of light or medium industry in Area A would be a longer-term
proposition, given the site’s removal from the established urban area of Yeppoon
and the lack of infrastructure.
•
It is recommended that at this point in time, Area A should not be designated for
industrial purposes.
However, the potential for medium to long-term
development (15 – 20 years) suggests that, while the existing rural zoning should
remain, the site should be considered for future industrial development of an
acceptable nature.
Business and Industry - Area B (Taranganba/ Tanby Road)
•
Area B covers 322 hectares and consists of one large parcel fronting Taranganba
Road and a smaller parcel fronting Tanby Road. The site’s northern and northeastern boundaries abut established urban development. Land to the east is
largely undeveloped but has an eastern aspect overlooking the ocean. The site's
western boundary abuts a number of 10 hectare rural residential lots along Tanby
Road. Land to the south is largely undeveloped.
•
The location of Area B, as the natural extension of urban development from the
immediate north makes it unsuitable for heavy industrial development. Poor
transport access to the south of the site and visual impacts along the eastern
boundary also detract from this type of development.
•
The northern portion of Area B, close to established residential development and
associated community facilities (education, open space), makes it well suited for
light business/ commercial development to serve the local population (i.e. a
district integrated employment centre serving the needs of Yeppoon and the shire
population).
•
Population projections for the Livingstone Shire, a third of which is expected in
the Yeppoon district, supports the concept of Area B serving as a natural
extension to residential development from the north and north-east. The retail
analysis undertaken as part of this review shows that, at present, retail demand
Page v
and supply is in balance. For this reason, the proposal to reserve a parcel of land
adjacent to Area B for retail development is rejected.
•
Nevertheless, this area is suitable for low impact, light, high tech service industry
such as an information technology (IT) service centre/ call centre. Other
activities that are consistent with this concept include tertiary education facilities
such as student accommodation, research facilities and business incubation
facilities.
•
Short-term (hotel/ motel) accommodation would also be suitable to the
Taranganba/ Tanby Road industry node. These facilities could be integrated
with education and research activities in this precinct as well as providing
accommodation for short-stay tourists to the Capricorn Coast.
•
The opportunity to secure the low lying land in the northern portion of Area B for
recreational use, as put forward in the original scoping study, is supported.
•
Further, as suggested earlier, it is recommended that the parcel of land on the
north-western corner of Tanby Road and Taranganba Road be reserved to
accommodate a secondary or P-12 school in the medium term (15 years). There is
potential for this area to develop as a technology and education precinct.
Business and Industry - Area C (Emu Park)
•
Area C at Emu Park covers 113 hectares and is separated from the established
town of Emu Park by the town’s airstrip. The site comprises the former
Department of Lands subdivision of ten industrial allotments, three of which are
occupied by service/ light industrial activities. The site is unserviced with
reticulated water and sewerage infrastructure or internal sealed roads.
Livingstone Shire Council owns some of the allotments in Area C. The sewerage
treatment plant, golf course, cemetery and wetlands to the south of the site
preclude urban development. The northern portion of the site is also precluded
from intensive urban development due to an extensive wetland area.
•
There is an identified need for designated land for the current and future general
service industry requirements of the population of Emu Park.
•
Future light industrial development should be encouraged to consolidate around
the existing precinct at Emu Park through Council’s statutory planning
mechanisms. It is recommended that Council invest in the provision of basic
infrastructure (water, sewerage and power) to the Emu Park industry precinct.
•
Investment in the Emu Park site’s internal road network is also required.
Coupled with appropriate directional signage, this will improve access to and
people’s awareness of the precinct. An infrastructure charge under the
Integrated Planning Act would help to recoup Council’s cost of infrastructure
provision.
•
According to the original scoping study, the rifle range in the eastern portion of
Area C was previously mooted for industrial development. However, it was
decided by Council not to proceed as the site is highly visible from the Emu Park
Page vi
Road. It also abuts residential development to the west. Instead, it is
recommended that a suitable portion of land on the former rifle range site be
established as a dedicated recreational reserve/ open space, so that it provides a
buffer between the industrial estate and residential development to the west as
well as adding to the shire’s recreational assets.
•
It is recommended that the airstrip located in Area C be maintained as Special
Purpose land in its current use until future industrial development (in the
medium to long-term) warrants potential relocation of the airstrip and upgrading
of the land to accommodate such industrial activity.
Page vii
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study
1.
Study Background and Rationale
1.1
Study Background
In 1997, Livingstone Shire Council commissioned the preparation
of a Business/Industry Scoping Study for the Livingstone Shire.
Following its completion, the study was amended in 1998.
It is the view of Livingstone Shire Council that a review of the
Scoping Study is necessary to reflect recent changes to the
business and industry sectors in the Fitzroy Region, and the
intentions of Council’s new IPA Planning Scheme, as indicated in
the recently released Statement of Proposals.
1.2
A Vision for Livingstone Shire
The original Livingstone Shire Business/ Industry Scoping Study
responded to Livingstone Shire Council’s Mission Statement and
its vision for the economic development of the shire. Essentially,
this entails a desire to maintain Livingstone Shire’s high quality
natural environment and its lifestyle attributes, while
accommodating a variety of small, environmentally acceptable
industries establishing in appropriate locations into the future.1
It is acknowledged in the original Scoping Study that Livingstone
Shire’s major sectors of employment will continue to be
agriculture, mining, education, health services, tourism,
retailing and construction. Council’s vision is for a robust local
economy, which can overcome local variations in climate,
commodity prices, tourist seasons and other external influences.
The stated purpose of the original study was to identify new
business and industry opportunities in the shire, and earmark
adequate reserves of land in appropriate locations that can be
readily serviced for the future establishment of such industries.
Further to looking at trends and opportunities for business and
industry development in Livingstone Shire in broad terms, the
original Scoping Study investigated three specific areas or
potential industry nodes. These are:
Area A:
Area B:
Area C:
1
The Pineapple Patch site in West Yeppoon/ Bondoola
(436 hectares)
In Taranganba near the intersection of Taranganba
Road and Tanby Road (322 hectares)
Land including a former rifle range and existing
industrial lots at Emu Park (113 hectares)
Livingstone Shire Council’s vision for business and industry in the shire as
well as land use planning issues that have been raised during the new
Planning Scheme consultation process, are presented in Appendix B.
Page 1
The three areas are illustrated in Figure 1 of this Review. A brief
description of each site is provided in Boxes 1, 2 and 3.
1.3
Purpose of this Review
In commissioning this review of the Business/ Industry Scoping
Study, it was considered by Livingstone Shire Council that the
following tasks are necessary:
1. Review the Livingstone Shire Business/ Industry Scoping
Study as a supplementary report and inclusion of the
following topics:
(a) Discussion of current trends in business activity in the
Fitzroy region including the impacts of Rockhampton
and Gladstone.
(b) Provide a commentary on business or industry
opportunities that can complement established sectors
in Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Fitzroy region.
(c) In conjunction with (b) and (c), assess the mix of
business and industry best suited for the Capricorn
Coast. For example, small and micro businesses and
industries, strong research and development and/or IT
development sectors or traditional manufacturing
enterprises. Consideration should be given to the
benefits of Capricorn Coast lifestyle, higher
environmental quality in air and water, proximity to
Central Queensland University and the emergence of
telecommuting and e-commerce.
2. Review the currency and adequacy of Study Areas A, B and C
identified in the Business/ Industry Scoping Study dated
October 1997.
3. Provide commentary on:
• Relocation of the business/industry node to Taranganba
Road (intersection with Tanby Road) adjacent to Area B,
as the location around the Taranganba/Tanby Road
intersection is likely to complement future urban growth
south from Taranganba and west of Lammermoor. The
nominated business/industry node on Tanby Road
referred to in the Business/ Industry Scoping Study
report is removed from residential convenience and
service in the medium to long term.
• Review of all business/industry nodes in terms of
location and area.
• The difference between the requirements of Emu Park
and Yeppoon business/industry sectors.
This review has been framed to meet the requirements of
Livingstone Shire Council as stated above.
Page 2
Figure 1: Business/ Industry Scoping Study Areas
Page 3
Box 1: Site Description, Area A (Pineapple Patch, West Yeppoon)
Area A, located south-west of Yeppoon on the Yeppoon arterial road, is also widely
known as the Pineapple Patch site. The site consists of six parcels of land in separate
(freehold) ownership. Comprising two working pineapple farms, the site is 436.18
hectares in area, triangular in shape and characterised by gentle slopes generally less
than 5%, except for the eastern escarpment, which drops steeply down to the coastal
plain and foothills. (Details on individual allotments are provided in Appendix F).
The site is removed from the established urban area of Yeppoon with rural and semirural uses to the south and east. Land to the immediate north-western boundary has
varied uses including residential and rural residential subdivision, a small industrial
estate and Council landfill site. A sewerage treatment plant is also planned
immediately adjacent to the north-west.
Source: Livingstone Shire Industry/Business Scoping Study (p.36), prepared by Urban Strategies et al. February
1998.
Box 2: Site Description, Area B (Taranganba/ Tanby Road)
Area B, covering 322.25 hectares, consists of one large (300 hectare) parcel fronting
Taranganba Road and two smaller parcels of approximately 10 hectares each, one
fronting Taranganba Road and the other fronting Tanby Road. The site’s northern
and north-eastern boundaries abut established urban development. Land to the east
is largely undeveloped but has an eastern aspect overlooking the ocean. The site's
western boundary abuts a number of 10 hectare rural residential lots along Tanby
Road. Land to the south is largely undeveloped. (Details on individual allotments are
provided in Appendix F).
1998.
Box 3: Site Description, Area C (Emu Park Industrial Area)
Area C, covering 112.83 hectares, is separated from the established town of Emu Park
by the town’s air strip. The site comprises the former Department of Lands
subdivision of ten industrial allotments, three of which are occupied by service/ light
industrial activities. Livingstone Shire Council owns some of the allotments in Area
C. (Details on individual allotments are provided in Appendix F).
Area C is unserviced with reticulated water and sewerage infrastructure or internal
sealed roads. The sewerage treatment plant, golf course, cemetery and wetlands to
the south of the site preclude urban development. The northern portion of the site is
also precluded from intensive urban development due to an extensive wetland area.
1998.
Page 4
1.4
Establishing Livingstone’s Strengths and
Opportunities for Business and Industry
1.4.1
The Need for a Regional Perspective
Australia’s cities, regions and towns operate in the context of a
constantly changing economic landscape.
An increasingly
‘globalised’ and competitive economy has led to greater
competition for business investment and jobs, not just between
different nations or states, but between different localities within
the same state or even in the same city or region.
For areas such as the Livingstone Shire, sustainable business and
industry development (and jobs) depends heavily on the capacity
of the local economy to tap in to regional, State and national
chains of economic activity. To this end, Livingstone Shire must
firstly identify and then build on its business and industry
strengths, concentrating its economic resources in those sectors of
greatest strategic competitive advantage.
By taking a regional perspective on development trends,
attributes and constraints, local opportunities for industrial
development that display a competitive advantage can be
identified. Hence, the identification of opportunities for business
and industry in Livingstone Shire must give due consideration to
the wider regional context and the Livingstone Shire economy’s
‘place’ in the Fitzroy and Central Queensland regions.
1.4.2
Building on the ‘Drivers’ of Local Economic
Activity
Livingstone Shire Council’s vision is for a robust local economy
that can overcome variations in climate, commodity prices,
tourist seasons and other external influences. In order to realise
this objective, it is critical that economic resources be directed to
those areas that are likely to provide the greatest return, in terms
of business investment and jobs.
As will be shown in subsequent sections of this report,
Livingstone Shire’s traditional sectors of employment are those
that utilise the wealth of natural resources in the region. This
includes agriculture, in particular beef and timber, as well as
mining and associated activities, namely mineral product
manufacturing. These sectors represent the drivers of economic
activity and employment in that they are based on the existence
of a local competitive strength (an extensive natural resource
base) that can’t be easily replicated elsewhere, and they generate
(ex-regional) export income for the region.
Page 5
Despite recent declines in these traditional sectors, not only
locally but across Australia, they remain critical to the economic
future of Livingstone Shire and the wider region.
Notwithstanding a changing economic landscape characterised
by reduced trade barriers, greater international competition and
industry rationalisation, a transition towards higher order, higher
value output in these sectors through innovation and improved
production methods ensures that there are opportunities to
capitalise further on these drivers of economic activity. This is
already evident by the wealth of investment in metal product and
other manufacturing activities in the region.
Associated with this is the continued growth of those secondary
sectors of activity that feed off and build on the economic drivers.
This includes transport, warehousing and distribution activities
and business services.
There are also other more recent
opportunities for business and industry growth in the
Livingstone Shire. Local tourism is based on the natural beauty
of the Capricorn Coast and the capacity to accommodate visitors
to the region. Tourism also offers the potential to increase the
region’s export income by attracting visitors to stay and spend
money in the region.
Efforts to build on the Livingstone Shire’s traditional employers
should be balanced against emerging opportunities in tourism
and associated activities. This will serve to support Livingstone
Shire Council’s objective of encouraging a robust and diverse
local economy.
There are also opportunities to serve the population that grows
along with the development of the region’s drivers of industry
and wealth. In a regional context, Livingstone Shire and the
Capricorn Coast is a residential haven for people working in
Rockhampton and other parts of the region. The appeal of
Yeppoon, Emu Park and other local settlements for their lifestyle
and ‘livability’ factors means that a growing population must be
catered for with adequate services, namely retail, health,
education and construction. While these sectors on their own do
not drive the local economy, continued population growth
provides continuing opportunity (and need) for new business
investment in these sectors.
Page 6
2.
The National and Global Economic
Context
The identification of opportunities for business and industry in
Livingstone Shire will be aided by an understanding of broader
(national and global) economic trends and influences.
By developing an understanding of the broader economic trends
that influence the local economy, Livingstone Shire Council is
better placed to identify and understand those sectors of activity
that represent local advantage and opportunity for the future.
This way, in its role as a facilitator of local economic
development, Livingstone Shire Council will be better placed to
encourage or facilitate those business and industry activities that
serve to diversify and drive economic activity, and which create
the greatest opportunity for employment growth.
The following sections describe those national and global
economic trends that need to be considered as part of the
identification of business and industry opportunities for the
Livingstone Shire. Those trends that are particularly relevant to
Livingstone Shire/ the Capricorn Coast, the wider Rockhampton
sub-region, the Fitzroy region and Central Queensland are
identified below.
2.1
The Agricultural Sector Decline
Declining commodity prices, a reduction in trade barriers and
falling terms of trade for Australia’s agricultural produce have
weakened the viability of many agricultural enterprises. As
shown in the chart below, Australia’s farmers have had to
continuously adjust to adverse trends in their terms of trade (that
is, the price received for their product compared to the prices
they pay for their inputs). While there have been periodic
improvements in the prices faced by Australia’s farmers, the
overall trend has been downward for the past four decades.
Page 7
Figure 2: Farmers’ Terms of Trade in Australia, 1953/54
to 1996/97
Terms of Trade (Base:1987-88=100)
250
200
150
100
50
Year
Source: Australian Commodity Statistics 1997, ABARE
In order to survive and prosper, Australia’s farmers have had to
look for new opportunities and new markets through
diversification, and by adding value to their existing products.
2.2
The Growth in Transformative, Value
Added Industrial Activities
Expanded global demand for consumer goods, and the need for
countries to enhance their competitiveness by modernising their
economies through technological advancement, has increased the
value of ‘transformative’ and ‘knowledge based’ industries.
Transformative industries are those that ‘add value’ to raw
materials by adapting or transforming them into useable
products.
‘Knowledge based industries’ often provide inputs to
transformative industries, and include education, research and
development and business consulting activities (e.g. teaching
services, computer software development, technical business
services, etc.). These services will locate in proximity to the
industrial activities they support (e.g. providers of mining
services such ore testers, geologists, etc. would likely locate in a
town or regional centres in close proximity to the extractive
industries).
Page 8
1996-97
1995-96
1994-95
1993-94
1992-93
1991-92
1990-91
1989-90
1988-89
1987-88
1986-87
1985-86
1984-85
1983-84
1982-83
1981-82
1980-81
1979-80
1978-79
1977-78
1976-77
1975-76
1974-75
1973-74
1972-73
1971-72
1970-71
1969-70
1968-69
1967-68
1966-67
1965-66
1964-65
1963-64
1962-63
1961-62
1960-61
1959-60
1958-59
1957-58
1956-57
1955-56
1954-55
1953-54
0
However, many of the knowledge-based workers such as
consultants are relatively footloose. Their locational decision
making will be largely influenced by the lifestyle attributes a
region or locality can offer.
2.3
The Recognised Importance of Import
Replacement
As a means of contributing to the prosperity and growth of a
local economy, replacing currently imported goods and services
used as business inputs with local alternatives is equally as
important as expanding exports. Purchasing business inputs
from outside the region or locale is a direct leakage of local
expenditure. Strategies of import replacement therefore, need to
be developed in order to stem this leakage and develop a broader
base to the regional economy.
Apart from contributing to expenditure leakages, business inputs
purchased from outside the region rather than from local
suppliers, means less employment opportunities within the local
area.
It has been suggested that for every $1 million of imported
manufactured inputs replaced by local suppliers, approximately
40 jobs are created in a local area. It can be seen then, that import
replacement is an important job creation strategy.
2.4
The Growth in Elaborately Transformed
Manufactures (ETMs)
In the ten years to 1998, the value of Australia’s manufactured
exports more than doubled from $39 billion to $83 billion (source:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Exports of Primary
and Manufactured Products”, 1999).
This can be largely
attributed to the growing importance of elaborately transformed
manufactures (ETMs) as an export earner. ETMs include mineral
manufactures and metals, chemicals and other semimanufactures, engineering products and other products such as
electronic and photographic equipment.
During the last ten years, Australia’s ETM exports have increased
in value by some 16% per annum, from $4.3 billion in 1987/88 (in
current dollars) to $16.2 billion in 1997/98. By comparison,
exports of simply transformed manufactures and primary
products increased in value by 6% per annum respectively over
the same period (source: Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, “Exports of Primary and Manufactured Products”).
Page 9
Figure 3: Australia’s Manufactured Exports (AUD $m),
1987-88 to 1997/98
$18,000
$16,000
Simply Transformed Manufactures
Export Value (1997/98$m)
$14,000
Elaborately Transformed Manufactures
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
1987/88
1988/89
1989/90
1990/91
1991/92
1992/93
1993/94
1994/95
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
Year
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Exports of Primary and Manufactured
Products”, 1999
It is these high value ETM sectors that provide substantial
opportunities for growth. For areas with an established heavy
industrial base, such as the Rockhampton and Gladstone regions,
ETMs represent an opportunity to value add locally before
products are sold/ distributed outside the region.
2.5
New Production Technologies
Changing Skill Requirements
and
The development of new production technologies in many
industries has led to a decrease in the demand for labour in the
workplace. Accompanying this labour shedding is the rise of
more capital and knowledge intensive techniques and industries.
As a result, those with a lack of skills or redundant skills have
difficulty being usefully placed in the economy.
Despite this trend, labour remains a key production input. Of
particular importance, is the ability of the local workforce to
respond effectively to changing economic circumstances. By
contributing to the value and volume of output in an economy,
an appropriately skilled workforce, who can respond to both the
existing and future needs of industry, ensures that
Page 10
unemployment is minimised. Responsive education and training
is critical in this regard; constant re-skilling of the workforce will
become the norm in the future.
2.6
A Rise in Service Sector Activity
Both domestic and international trade in services is growing
rapidly. This includes financial and business services, and
community and personal services, including education,
recreation, leisure and entertainment (RLE) and tourism.
According to the World Bank, world service exports have more
than tripled from US$392 billion in 1980 to $1.4 trillion in 1997
(source: World Bank, “1999 World Development Indicators”).
This has been accompanied by a rise in employment in the
growing service sectors (while the reliance on routine or manual
labour continues to decline).
In the ten years to 1995/96, Australia’s external trade in services
(exports and imports) increased from around 20% of total trade in
goods and services to 23% (source: Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, “Trade in Services”, 1999).
Figure 4: Average Annual Growth in Australia’s Service
Exports by Type, 1985/86 – 1995/96
Service Export Type
Other Services
Other Transportation
Shipment
Travel
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
Average Annual Change
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Trade in Services”, 1999
As shown in the chart above, the greatest increase in Australia’s
service exports has been in travel services. Transportation
Page 11
services also account for a significant proportion of the growth in
internationally traded services.
This helps to highlight the growing opportunities for tourism in
Australia’s regions and capital cities. This is particularly relevant
to areas such as the Capricorn Coast.
2.7
Advances
in
Communications
Information Technology
&
Improved access to more affordable information and
communications technology has supported changing work
practices and the lifestyle opportunities this presents for both the
employed and self-employed.
This factor, in conjunction with the need (or opportunity) for
greater worker flexibility in many occupations, has increased the
incidence of ‘telecommuting’ and ‘teleworking’, and the
emergence of home based businesses and occupations. For those
looking to establish a home-based occupation, important
considerations
include
lifestyle/
amenity,
appropriate
infrastructure (particularly communications and information
technology) and access to household and business services (i.e.
‘livability’ factors).
2.8
Supply Chain (Production) Leakages
While the capacity to generate more export income for the
regional economy has improved dramatically with globalisation,
local production linkages have tended to fall away for precisely
the same reasons. Inter-regional exporters can and must source
their inputs on the most competitive basis. Technological
changes and new business models mean they can compare
offerings on an international basis if they wish. They can, and
increasingly do, source key inputs from inter-regional
metropolitan centres even if the inputs they seek can be supplied
locally.
2.9
Greater
Competition
Investment
for
Business
National and international capital is relatively footloose and
continually seeking investment sites. In order to attract potential
capital investment, Australia’s economic conditions must be
favourable. Not only must Australia present a favourable
institutional environment through effective government policies
Page 12
to encourage these conditions, but it must also provide the
infrastructure necessary to minimise costs and maximise benefits
to potential investors.
Establishing and maintaining a conducive investment
environment is not only important for the Commonwealth and
State Governments seeking to attract the regional headquarters of
a major multinational corporation. It also applies to local
governments and regional agencies trying to boost or diversify
their business and industry base. This does not necessarily refer
to attempts to attract the ‘next big winner’ through financial and
other incentives. What is does require however, are efforts to
develop the capacity of the local area or region to accommodate
new business investment. Appropriate activities, that can (and in
many cases should) be led by local government include the
provision of information and advisory services, marketing and
promotion of the area and efficient development approvals
processes.
2.10
The Rise of the ‘Enterprise Household’
The greater premium on knowledge in the new, global economy
and the rise in new, flexible forms of employment has given rise
to the ‘enterprise household’. These are individuals and families
that are operating as businesses in their own right, maintaining a
diversified portfolio of income generating activities and engaging
in deliberative skills planning and networking on behalf of
themselves and household members. They consist of the
‘knowledge workers’ referred to earlier.
For local governments and regional development agencies, the
attraction and retention of these households is as crucial to local
economic development as mainstream (business) investment
recruitment campaigns. These households not only bring the
skills, which are vital to successful inter-regional exports, they
also bring connections and ideas.
2.11
The Importance of Lifestyle and Livability
A more open global economy and greater competition for
investment presents Australia’s regions and locales with new
opportunities to export their goods and services to other regions
around Australia and around the world. However, it also opens
regions up to the threat of competition from imports resulting in
a leakage of production linked multipliers as exporters source
their inputs on the most competitive basis from anywhere in the
world, not just locally.
Because of this, the capture of
consumption expenditure (as opposed to production
expenditure) has assumed much greater significance in local
Page 13
economic development. It is now vital to create distinctive
‘places’ which offer a depth of leisure, cultural and educational
pursuits, which we can sum up as the ‘cafe’ society. These
ingredients are also vital to the attraction and retention of
enterprise households.
As well as retaining as much as possible of local consumption
expenditure, a key challenge to regions is to ‘import’
consumption spending through tourism.
Page 14
3.
Regional Considerations – Central
Queensland
3.1
An Overview of the Central Queensland
Economy
Livingstone Shire is part of the Central Queensland region of
Australia. The current regional planning project for Central
Queensland, CQ A New Millennium, defines the Central
Queensland region as consisting of the following Local
Government Areas:
Banana
Fitzroy
Taroom
Bauhinia
Gladstone
Mt. Morgan
Calliope
Jericho
Emerald
Woorabinda
Duaringa
Livingstone
Rockhampton
Peak Downs
A map of the Central Queensland region is provided in Figures 5
and 6 overleaf.
Central Queensland comprises an area of approximately 142,000
square kilometres or 8.2% of the total area of Queensland. The
region has an estimated resident population of 183,800 or 5% of
the Queensland population (ABS, June 1999).
Economic activity in Central Queensland is based largely on
extractive industries (notably coal, alumina, magnesite and
limestone) and associated manufacturing and processing
activities. Despite experiencing some relative decline in recent
years, agriculture, such as cotton, cattle, grains and fruit
production, remains a substantial contributor to the Central
Queensland economy.
Other sectors of economic activity that are closely related to these
include power generation and transport, warehousing and
distribution. Other activities that feed off the wealth generated
by these sectors, and which serve the needs of the region’s
population include retailing, business services, health and
education. Retail trade remains the largest provider of jobs in
Central Queensland.
There is some tourism activity in the region, focussed on the
coastline and nearby islands. However there is also some inland
tourism activity with agri-tourism and cultural tourism
attractions scattered throughout Central Queensland.
A summary of Central Queensland’s key sectors of economic
activity is provided below.
Page 15
Figure 5: The Central Queensland Region
Source: Australian Tourism Net (www.atn.com.au)
Figure 6: Central Queensland by Local
Government Area
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Page 16
Mineral Resources
•
•
•
•
•
Coal - the producer of 38 percent value and 43 percent
quantity of Queensland’s coal in 1998-99 (OESR, Regional
Profile: Fitzroy June 2000).
Limestone - the producer of 36 percent value and 89 percent
quantity of Queensland’s limestone in 1998-99 (OESR.,
Regional Profile: Fitzroy June 2000).
Magnesite - the world’s largest and purest deposits of
magnesite are located in the Livingstone Shire, which
accounted for 100 percent value and 100 percent quantity of
Queensland’s production in 1998-99 (OESR, Regional Profile:
Fitzroy June 2000).
Oil Shale - a large quantity oil shale (a resource of 14.5 billion
barrels in eight deposits within the region) from which high
quality, low sulphur shale oil can be produced.
Salt - the largest salt producer in Queensland, which
accounted for 100 percent value and 100 percent quantity of
Queensland’s production in 1998-99 (OESR, Regional Profile:
Fitzroy June 2000).
Metal and Non-metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
•
•
•
Alumina/ aluminium - the world’s largest alumina refinery is
located in Gladstone.
Australia’s largest aluminium smelter (and the fourth largest
in the world), also located in Gladstone.
Cement - Queensland’s largest cement manufacturer.
Power Generation
•
Central Queensland houses the largest independent power
producer in Australia.
Transport, Warehousing and Distribution
•
Queensland’s largest multi-cargo port and the fourth largest
coal port in the world.
Agriculture
•
•
Fruit Production - the largest citrus plantation in the
Southern Hemisphere.
Beef – Central Queensland is the largest beef producing
region in Queensland, comprising 21 percent of Queensland’s
cattle herd (Agstats 1999). The region is also a significant
contributor to the meat processing industry.
Page 17
•
Cotton – Central Queensland produces 14 percent of the
value of Queensland’s cotton (ABS, Trade Data 1999,
unpublished).
Education and Research
•
Central Queensland is home to the largest Tropical University
in Australia – Central Queensland University (CQU) in
Rockhampton. CQU is the fastest growing university in
Australia and has the second highest number of international
students in Australia.
Tourism
The tourism industry is well distributed throughout Central
Queensland, with the focus of activity along the coast. There is
also significant tourism activity inland with agri-tourism and
cultural tourism attractions scattered throughout the region.
Around $49 million was spent on tourist accommodation in the
Fitzroy region in 1999, representing almost 5% of Queensland’s
accommodation earnings in that year. Rockhampton City and
Livingstone Shire contributed $28 million or 3% of Queensland’s
tourist accommodation earnings, representing 57% of the Fitzroy
region’s takings (CQANM, 2001).
The current regional planning project, CQ A New Millennium,
reports a number of current or planned tourism projects in
Central Queensland. Naturally, a number of these developments
are located on the Capricorn Coast. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The $25 million Monte Cristo Resort on Curtis Island (stage
one).
The $100 million expansion of Rosslyn Bay Inn resort.
The $300 to $500 million Great Barrier Reef International
Resort and Golf Course.
The $8 million tavern and motel complex at Taranganba.
The $21 million redevelopment of Yeppoon’s main beach.
The Rydges resort development in Yeppoon.
(Source: CQ A New Millennium, “Economic Development Technical
Paper”, May 2001, pp.19-20)
Page 18
3.2
Livingstone, the Rockhampton Subregion, the Fitzroy Region and Central
Queensland
Sustainable business and industry development in Livingstone
Shire and the Capricorn Coast depends largely on the capacity of
the local economy to tap in to regional supply chains. That is, we
must identify Livingstone’s ‘place’ in the wider regional context
so that opportunities can be maximised.
Livingstone Shire is immediately affected by trends,
developments and prospects in what can be termed the
Rockhampton sub-region. This sub-region is part of the Fitzroy
region that excludes the Gladstone area. By definition, the
Rockhampton sub-region includes the local government areas of
Rockhampton, Fitzroy, Mt. Morgan and Livingstone. A map
highlighting the Fitzroy Region (Statistical Division) is provided
in Figure 7. A map highlighting the Rockhampton sub-region is
shown in Figure 8.
There are numerous opportunities to tap in to current and
planned developments within the wider Rockhampton subregion’s key sectors of output and employment. However, to
ensure that the Rockhampton sub-region’s competitive strengths
are understood, it is necessary to know the profile of Central
Queensland in general. This will help to reveal the level of
competition from those areas for business investment and
resources. It will also help to identify where Livingstone Shire
best fits in to the regional/ national supply chain in order to
capitalise on opportunities for growth.
Page 19
Figure 7: The Fitzroy Region (Statistical Division)
Figure 8: The Rockhampton Sub-region
Page 20
3.3
The Central
Compared
Queensland
Sub-regions
Major developments throughout Central Queensland will have a
bearing on the level of priority attributed to particular
opportunities that are identified for Livingstone Shire and its
business/industry precincts. The following sub-sections provide
an overview of the key features of the Rockhampton sub-region
and Central Queensland’s other centres of business and industry.
As part of this study, a more detailed review of current and
planned industrial developments that are occurring in these areas
was also undertaken. This information, which is current as of
November 2001, is provided in Appendix C.
3.3.1
The Gladstone Area
Gladstone is a centre of heavy industrial activity in Central
Queensland. Industrial activities include aluminium smelting Boyne Smelters Limited operates a major smelter at Boyne Island
in the Port of Gladstone. The smelter produces 490,000 tonnes
per annum. The world’s largest alumina refinery is also located at
the Port of Gladstone and it produces 3.5Mt per annum.
Chemicals processing is also strong in Gladstone. Orica Australia
Pty Ltd produces sodium cyanide and liquid cyanide for use in
gold extraction, chlorine for water treatment and nitric acid for
the production of ammonium nitrate. Ticor Chemical Company
Pty Ltd produces sodium cyanide and caustic soda. Queensland
Cement Limited produces over 1.6 million tonnes per annum of
clinker and cement from locally sourced limestone.
3.3.2
The Emerald Area
Emerald’s economy is diverse, with operations in mining (coal
and gemstones), cotton, grains, cattle and citrus fruits.
The area serves a number of coal mines in the Bowen Basin,
including the Gregory, Crinum, Gordonstone and Ensham mines.
Sapphire gemstones are commercially mined in the region for
sale in the domestic and overseas markets. The industry also
attracts a significant number of tourists each year.
Cotton is Emerald’s traditional mainstay industry based on largescale broadacre irrigated farming. However, in recent years,
Emerald’s citrus fruit growing industry has grown steadily,
Page 21
producing significant quantities of mandarins, oranges, lemons
and lime fruit for sale in the domestic and international markets.
Fresh fruit is exported via ship through Sydney and Gladstone.
3.3.3
The Mackay Area
Industrial activity in Mackay is characterised by the large-scale
coal reserves of the Bowen Basin and the extensive areas of shale
oil and large reserves of natural gas. There has been significant
expenditure and commitment to expenditure on infrastructure in
the Mackay area in recent years, including rail network
improvements and development of the Mackay Port (see
Appendix D).
3.3.4
The Rockhampton Area
There has been significant expenditure and commitment to
expenditure on strategic infrastructure in the Rockhampton subregion’s key sectors of economic activity.
As evident from the following list of projects, Rockhampton is a
major service hub for industrial activity throughout the wider
region, with much of the recent and planned activity focussed on
transport, warehousing and distribution, education, R&D and
community services. Substantial investments in major metal
product processing activities are also planned for the
Rockhampton area. Due to its proximity, these developments
perhaps have the most significant implications for business and
industry development in the Shire of Livingstone.
Page 22
4.
The Livingstone Economy in the Subregional and Regional Context
4.1
Livingstone Shire
As highlighted in previous sections of this report, opportunities
for business and industry growth in the Shire of Livingstone lie in
the area’s ability to link into, build on and feed off the existing
industrial base of the wider region. That is, Livingstone must
confirm and then pursue its place in the regional economy.
Livingstone Shire is predominantly a service sector economy.
The strength of the area’s retail trade and other service sectors is
based on the shire’s high and continuing rate of population
growth. This in turn, is based on the employment opportunities
provided locally and in the wider region and the appeal of the
Capricorn Coast as a place to live for those people working in the
wider region (i.e. Rockhampton).
The retailers and service providers located in Yeppoon and Emu
Park rely heavily on the custom of local residents, many of whom
are employed in Rockhampton. A profile of employment by
industry sector in Livingstone Shire is illustrated in Figure 9.
Retail Trade accounts for the largest share of employment in the
Livingstone Shire, with 13% of employed persons. Other major
sectors of employment include Education (12%) and
Accommodation, Cafes & Restaurants (10%), which highlight the
importance (and potential) of tourism to the Capricorn Coast.
Each of these sectors employ a larger proportion of the resident
workforce relative to the whole Rockhampton sub-region.
Other notable sectors of employment in Livingstone are the
Health & Community Services and Construction sectors, as well
as the traditional sectors of Manufacturing and Agriculture.
Manufacturing in Livingstone is dominated by food processing
activities while fruit and vegetable growing dominates the shire’s
agricultural activities. Other notable agricultural activities in the
shire include commercial fishing and forestry and logging.
Page 23
Figure 9: Employment by Industry Sector (%),
Livingstone Shire and Rockhampton Sub-region, 1996
18%
16%
Livingstone Shire
Number Employed (%)
14%
Rockhampton Sub-region
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
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ec e & rvic
r
e
I
e
C
om ati nsu s
o
r
an
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at
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n
Se es
rv
ic
es
M
in
in
g
U
til
iti
es
0%
Industry Sector
Source: ABS Census of Population & Housing, 1996
4.2
The
Rockhampton
Economy
Sub-regional
In assessing opportunities for business and industry in
Livingstone, apart from looking at the Central Queensland
context, due consideration must be given to regional and subregional attributes and constraints, recent trends and
developments.
Livingstone Shire is part of the Rockhampton sub-region, which
is part of the Fitzroy Region. The Rockhampton sub-region also
comprises the local government areas of Rockhampton, Fitzroy
and Mt. Morgan. With a population of around 95,800, the subregion houses some 51% of all persons living in the wider Central
Page 24
Queensland Region.2
An analysis of industry in the
Rockhampton sub-region helps to identify those sectors of
business and industry activity that are best suited to Livingstone
Shire and its constituent business/industry precincts.
4.2.1
Key Industries in the Rockhampton Sub-region
Figure 10 provides an illustration of the Rockhampton subregion's key sectors of economic activity according to their
location quotients.
A location quotient (LQ) provides an
indication of the share of each industry in relation to the share of
the same industry to the Queensland economy. An LQ greater
than 1 indicates that the industry is more important to the subregional economy than it is to that of the State as a whole.
Location quotients are an employment based measure and thus a
partial explanation of a region’s strength or weakness in a
particular economic sector. Other key measures include capital
formation and gross regional product.
However, detailed
information on these parameters is not readily available and thus
the employment related measure is a useful, overall surrogate
measure of economic performance that has been applied in this
analysis.
The illustration is provided for those industry sectors in the
Rockhampton sub-region with a location quotient greater than
one.
2
Based on figures from the 1996 ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Page 25
Figure 10: Location Quotients, Employment by Industry
Sector (sub-region/ Queensland), Rockhampton Subregion, 1996
4.00
3.50
Location Quotient
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
El
ec
t
N rici Ra
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ic as o
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0.00
Industry Sector
Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 1996
Transport
Rail Transport, with an LQ of 3.63, is by far the sector of greatest
significance to the Rockhampton sub-regional economy relative
to Queensland as a whole. Rockhampton is a key rail freight
transport hub, linking with Brisbane and the main Central
Queensland rail line. QR’s control, service and maintenance
centres are located in the region. QR's principal customers are
the region's coal and beef industries, which generate the largest
amount of freight. Other customers include the region’s fruit
growing industry. The rail terminal in Yeppoon, which is linked
to Rockhampton, is used to load pineapples and other produce
for transport to Brisbane where they are processed.
Utilities
Electricity & Gas Supply with an LQ of 3.05 is the other major
sector in the sub-region. The Stanwell Power Station is located
just outside Rockhampton near Gracemere. A coal-fired power
Page 26
station with a capacity of 1,400 MW, Stanwell provides power to
the State grid and is a major source of energy for the sub-region's
manufacturing and processing industries. Land adjacent to the
power station is the site of the planned AMC magnesium
processing plant.
Mining and Mineral Product Manufacturing
Other key contributors to economic activity in the sub-region
include Mining and Mineral Product Manufacturing. Black coal
is by far the sub-region’s (and the wider Central Queensland
region’s) most important mineral product. Black coal is a key
input for the production of metal products and in power
generation. The Rockhampton sub-region is strategically located
in close proximity to mining sites at the South Bowen Basin coal
reserves.
Coal is not the only mineral mined in the Rockhampton subregion. Magnesite is mined at the Kunwarara site in the north of
the Livingstone Shire. Product from the mine is processed at
QMAG's magnesium processing plant at Parkhurst on the
outskirts of Rockhampton. Parkhurst is limited from further
heavy industrial development due to its close proximity to
residential dwellings and limitations due to subdivision pattern
and lot size. Magnesium processing and related industrial
activities are to be provided for at the AMC site in Stanwell. The
Kunwarara mine will be the principal source of magnesite for
processing at the proposed AMC plant at Stanwell.
Other mining and processing activities include salt and
limestone. The region is the largest salt producer in Queensland.
Salt is mined near Port Alma and is exported through the Port to
overseas markets as well as to other parts of Australia.
Limestone is mined in the Livingstone Shire and used in the
manufacture of cement and cement products. While the resource
is mined in Livingstone Shire, the major producers of lime are
located at Parkhurst in Rockhampton (Pacific Lime) and in
Taragoola (Frost Enterprises). Queensland Cement has recently
committed to Gladstone with a $200 million plant expansion.
Agriculture
As mentioned earlier, Agriculture has been the traditional
mainstay of economic growth and development in the
Rockhampton sub-region and the region is widely known as the
'Beef Capital of Australia'. While the Gracemere Livestock
Saleyards are not the largest in the country, some of the highest
value livestock trade in Australia passes through its gates each
year (it is apparently the largest bull selling yard in the country).
Cotton growing has also been a key contributor to agricultural
activity in the sub-region.
Page 27
Timber production and processing is another traditional
industry, which now concentrates on plantation timber as its
major source. There are a number of saw mills and processing
plants located in the region.
Education and Health Services
Also significant in the area are a number of service sectors,
notably Education and Health Services. As shown in the chart
above, education is a significant employer, with an LQ of 1.38.
Key educational infrastructure in the sub-region includes a
campus of the Central Queensland University in Rockhampton
and Gladstone, which is Australia’s largest tropical University
serving the second highest number of international students in
Australia.
Other tertiary facilities include the Central
Queensland Institute of TAFE campuses at Rockhampton and
Yeppoon, the CSIRO Tropical Beef Research Centre and Tropical
Agriculture Centre and boarding schools in Rockhampton
(international education).
4.2.2
Rockhampton,
Region
Gladstone
and
the
Fitzroy
A look at all sectors in the Rockhampton sub-region with an LQ
greater than one highlights the diversity of the sub-regional
economy and the significance of service sector activities. This
includes Retail activities and Accommodation, Cafes &
Restaurants as well as Education, Health and Community
Services and Business Services.
This is indicative of the role of Rockhampton as a regional service
hub to the Fitzroy and wider Central Queensland regions. This
fact is highlighted by the relativities illustrated in the following
chart, which compares employment by industry sector in the
Rockhampton sub-region, the Gladstone sub-region (consisting of
the Gladstone and Calliope LGAs) and the wider Fitzroy
Statistical Division (SD). The Fitzroy SD comprises the local
government areas of Livingstone, Fitzroy, Mt. Morgan, Calliope,
Gladstone, Banana, Bauhinia, Duaringa, Emerald, Peak Downs
and Jericho.
As shown in Figure 11, the Rockhampton sub-region has a higher
representation of persons employed in Retail Trade, Wholesale
Trade, Government Administration, Health & Community
Services, Accommodation, Cafes & Restaurants and, most
notably, Education. Obviously, this is due to the location of
CQU, as well as TAFE and other tertiary facilities in
Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
Page 28
Figure 11: Employment by Industry Sector,
Rockhampton Sub-region, Gladstone Sub-region and
Fitzroy Statistical Division, 1996
12%
10%
Number Employed (%)
Gladstone Sub-region
8%
Fitzroy SD
6%
4%
2%
H
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Industry Sector
The dominance of Manufacturing in Gladstone is representative
of the significance of heavy industrial activities there, most
notably metal product manufacturing, power generation and
mining activities. Figure 12 shows the employment location
quotients for the Gladstone area, and highlights the dominance of
heavy industrial activities. Gladstone experiences relative lack of
economic diversity compared to the Rockhampton sub-region.
While Rockhampton is the principal centre serving the subregion’s traditional and heavy industrial activities, the lifestyle
attributes and proximity of Yeppoon and Emu Park in
Livingstone Shire provide the opportunity for those centres to
capture a greater share of the market for household and business
services in the region.
Page 29
Figure 12: Location Quotients (Sub-region/
Queensland), Industry of Employment, Gladstone Subregion, 1996
10.00
9.00
8.65
8.00
Location Quotient
7.00
6.19
6.00
5.37
5.00
4.03
4.00
3.16
3.00
3.01
2.46
2.29
2.28
2.06
2.00
1.98
1.73
1.51
1.37
1.07
1.02
1.00
M
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Industry Sector
4.2.3
Change in Employment by Industry Sector,
Declining Sectors
Those sectors of employment that have traditionally been of
greatest importance to the Rockhampton sub-regional economy
have also experienced some relative decline in recent years.
Figure 13 illustrates those industry sectors in the sub-region that
have experienced the greatest increase, along with those
displaying the greatest decline in employment numbers over the
ten year period to 1996.
Page 30
Figure 13: Change in Employment by Selected Industry
Sector, Rockhampton Sub-region, 1986-1996
2,000
1,500
Change in Employment
1,000
500
0
-500
-1,000
-1,500
Pr
op
er
ty
&
Bu
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ne
ss
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-2,000
Industry Sector
As illustrated earlier, by location quotient, Rail Transport and
Electricity & Gas Supply are key strengths of the Rockhampton
sub-regional economy. However, as shown above, these sectors,
together with Agriculture and Food Processing have also
experienced the greatest decline in employment numbers over
the ten years to 1996.
During this period, the number of the region’s residents
employed in Rail Transport fell by over 1,700 or 65%. Electricity,
Gas & Water lost 200 employees over the period, a fall of 25%.
This can be attributed to public sector rationalisation and
cutbacks over the period.
The number of the sub-region's residents employed in
Agriculture fell by around 460 between 1986 and 1996, a decline
of 28%. This can be largely attributed to the decline in Australia's
beef sector as a result of greater international competition, falling
commodity prices and subsequent industry rationalisation. The
sub-region's Food Processing sector has experienced similar
decline, down 200 workers or 13% over the decade to 1996.
Page 31
Growth Sectors - Services
Those sectors that experienced the greatest increase in
employment numbers between 1986 and 1996 have been in the
service sectors. With the exception of perhaps some elements of
the Education sector, these industries do not drive regional
economic growth but rather, are led by the growth of other key
export earning sectors through associated increases in population
and consumption.
As shown in Figure 13, the sub-region's key sectors of growth are
Property and Business Services (such as legal and accounting),
Education, Health Services, Retail Trade, Personal Services and
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants.
The Central Queensland University and the Office of Regional
Development are working to establish the Institute for
Sustainable Regional Development at the University’s
Rockhampton campus. The Institute will engage in applied
research in this field.
Continued development of the
international education industry in Rockhampton and Gladstone
is also envisaged.
Manufacturing
While the most substantial growth in industry has occurred in the
service sectors, growth has also occurred in a number of the
region’s traditional driver sectors, notably:
•
•
•
•
Metal Product Manufacturing (i.e. transport equipment,
vehicle parts, building products, etc.);
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing;
Chemical, Petroleum and Coal Product Manufacturing;
and Coal Mining.
Employment growth in these sectors has been based on the
development of a number of large projects in the Fitzroy Region.
Associated with the growth in these key sectors has been an
increase in employment in those sectors that serve key industry
such as Services to Agriculture and Services to Mining.
Page 32
4.3
Implications for Business and Industry
Development in the Livingstone Shire
In broad terms, the driver sectors of economic activity in the
Rockhampton sub-region, and those that heavily influence
opportunities for Livingstone Shire, are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Metal Product Manufacturing;
Mineral Product Manufacturing;
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing;
Mining;
Agriculture and Food Processing;
Power Generation; and
(Tertiary) Education and Research.
The continued growth of these sectors in the region provides the
opportunity for the continued development of secondary or
support industry, which relies on these industrial strengths.
Broadly speaking, these activities include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transport, Warehousing and Distribution;
Services to Agriculture;
Specialist Services to Mining and Manufacturing;
Wholesale/ Retail Trade and General Service Industry
Tourism-related activities; and
Business and Industry Support Services.3
Examples of Services to Agriculture include such activities as
herd testing, pest control, agronomy (soil management) services,
etc.
Examples of Services to Mining include surveying,
exploration, ore testing, etc.
Other sectors or activities that have potential to take advantage of
the region’s lifestyle attributes (including the full range of
services and facilities available) are the ‘knowledge based’
activities. These include:
•
•
•
3
Home based knowledge workers such as consultants,
lawyers, etc.;
Specialist personal, household or business service providers;
and
High tech service industries (e.g. call centres).
While ‘tourism’ is not explicitly identified in the ABS industry
classifications, the region’s lifestyle attributes, heritage features, coastline,
proximity to the Whitsundays and natural features, particularly in the
Capricorn Coast area, support the potential growth of this industry.
Page 33
These are the types of activities that are relatively footloose and
which can locate almost anywhere so long as the necessary
support infrastructure is in place (communications in particular).
In the case of call centre operations, like all industrial activities
appropriately zoned land must be available. A call centre is a
low impact activity that can co-locate with other non-industrial
uses within residential or business areas.
Therefore, the
opportunity to accommodate a call centre in an established urban
area is possible as its locational requirements are flexible and its
relative impacts on surrounding land uses are relatively minor.
These broad opportunities need to be considered against the
business and industry attributes of Livingstone Shire, including
the nominated business/ industry areas.
Page 34
5.
Business/ Industry
Livingstone Shire
Prospects
5.1
Opportunity Identification
for
Based on the consultation and analysis of sub-regional and
regional industry trends and prospects, broader national and
international economic trends and influences and a profile of the
Livingstone Shire, a number of broad opportunities for future
business and industry development in Livingstone Shire and the
Capricorn Coast have been identified. The opportunities that
have been identified reflect the need to diversify and enhance
economic prospects for the shire. They reflect Livingstone Shire’s
‘place’ in the regional context. They also acknowledge a balance
between the need to capitalise on traditional strengths or drivers
in new and innovative ways (e.g. value added manufacturing)
while embracing new opportunities that build on new and
emerging trends and needs (e.g. tourism, home-based business
development and retail development).
Opportunities for business and industry development in the
Livingstone Shire are listed and described below.
The
opportunities are not presented in any particular order of
priority.
5.2
Business/
Industry
Development
Opportunities for Livingstone Shire
5.2.1
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
As discussed earlier, large-scale mining and processing activities
are well established in Gladstone and to a lesser extent,
Rockhampton. The research and consultation undertaken as part
of this study suggests that the Parkhurst Industrial Estate in
Rockhampton (which is the largest in the City) is limited in its
capacity to accommodate expanded mineral and metal product
manufacturing activities beyond current operations there. This is
due in part to limited lot sizes, but more importantly, the area’s
proximity to residential subdivision. However, the Parkhurst
estate’s major tenant, Queensland Magnesium, will continue to
operate there into the foreseeable future.
New opportunities for metal and mineral product manufacturing
are likely to be catered for at the proposed Australian Magnesium
Corporation (AMC) site in Stanwell near Rockhampton. All
indications from State Government sources suggest that this
project will proceed as planned. This limits opportunities for
these types of activities in Livingstone Shire, or elsewhere in
Page 35
Queensland for that matter. If it proceeds as planned, the AMC
project will be a world class facility and will produce processed
magnesium for the national and international markets. The need
to reach certain economies of scale in the production of
magnesium means that a second processing plant of this
magnitude in Queensland would simply not be feasible.
Consultation with State Government sources during the
preparation of this report indicated that there are no plans to proactively pursue mineral processing activities of any kind to locate
in Livingstone Shire.
There may well be opportunities to develop value-added
industrial activities, in particular, machinery and equipment
repairs and manufacturing.
Opportunities that should be
considered include:
•
Agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturing for
the wider region’s beef, cotton and fruit production
industries. (N.B. manufacturing typically develops from a
base of repair services – see below).
•
Agricultural machinery and equipment repair which could
vary from small components (e.g. crop sprayers) to
transportation equipment (for livestock) to very large
earthmoving equipment.
•
Mining machinery and equipment manufacturing based on
the area’s proximity to magnesite, limestone and coal mining
activities.
•
Mining machinery and equipment repair, which could vary
from small components (e.g. communications) to very large
earthmoving equipment.
However, again, these opportunities must be tempered against
likely competition from neighbouring localities, the Stanwell site
being the most obvious.
5.2.2
Specialist Business Services to Mining and
Manufacturing
Economic trends and the development of competing regions
means that Livingstone Shire needs to look beyond traditional
‘smokestack’ industry to drive future growth and development.
Livingstone would be competing for infrastructure, investment
and resources for industrial development with other areas in
Central Queensland in the immediate area and beyond (e.g.
Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone) where high impact industry
is established. Further, the pursuit of high impact industry is
Page 36
contrary to the preservation of Livingstone’s and the Capricorn
Coast’s lifestyle attributes. The coastal location, good climate and
village atmosphere of Yeppoon and Emu Park support the appeal
of the Capricorn Coast as a place to live and a place to visit (i.e.
tourism), and the development of high impact processing
activities would detract from this recognised strength.
The continued development of the wider region’s driver sectors of
economic activity provides an opportunity for the further
development of secondary or support industry, which can link in
to and build on the region’s core industrial strengths. There is an
opportunity for the Livingstone economy to service major
developments in other parts of Central Queensland such as major
mining and processing operations. This includes technical
services like equipment testing and ore testing.4
Livingstone’s proximity to mining operations also provides the
opportunity for the development of mining research and
development (R&D) services and facilities (e.g. research into the
development and use of shale oil). This does not suggest that
high impact testing be undertaken in the shire. Rather, that there
may be an opportunity for laboratory based chemical research
and similar activities to support mineral exploration and
processing techniques.
This opportunity is supported by the region’s strength in
education and research and Livingstone’s proximity to Central
Queensland University and other tertiary education, training and
research institutions.
To summarise, the range of business activities that should be
considered include:
•
Mining R&D - could relate to exploration, production or
processing.
•
Ore testing and analysis – refers to specialist skill and
equipment based services requiring a fast turnaround time.
Hence, proximity to markets is important.
•
Mining exploration data interpretation – again, refers to
specialist skill based services where a fast turnaround time
(and therefore, location) is important.
•
Exploration field support – requires a logistical base for
mobile field exploration.
4
While it does not support the pursuit of mineral processing activities in
Livingstone Shire, the Queensland Department of State Development does
encourage the concept of Livingstone servicing the wider region’s mining
and processing industries as part of an ‘energy triangle concept’, between
Gladstone, Biloela and Stanwell near Rockhampton.
Page 37
•
Mapping services – requires appropriate skills and IT
support capabilities.
Again, the potential to facilitate the establishment of these
activities must be considered against competition from
competing areas and what those areas can offer in terms of land,
location and access, infrastructure and other key services.
5.2.3
Food Processing and Associated Activities
The wider region’s citrus fruit processing industry is centred on
Emerald. Produce consists of oranges, lemons, mandarins and
table grapes. Other products include pineapples, which are
grown in the Livingstone Shire.
Much of the fruit grown in the region is transported for
processing elsewhere (i.e. Brisbane). This has much to do with
the nature of the industry and the location of major processors
outside the region. Despite this, there may be an opportunity for
smaller-scale fruit processing activities in Livingstone Shire.
Livingstone’s location on the north-south freight rail line
supports the opportunity for local product to be transported
direct to domestic and overseas markets.
In summary, food processing and associated opportunities
include:
5.2.4
•
Fruit processing – this may include grading, packing,
canning, juicing, freezing or drying.
•
Fruit processing equipment and supplies, repair and
manufacturing – this may include equipment for any of these
activities.
•
Food storage and transport – these functions are usually
associated together and in close or immediate proximity to
food processing activities (see also Section 4.2.6 below).
Timber Processing and Associated
Manufacturing
There is potential to build on the State timber resource in the
region by exploring opportunities to add value to the timber
before it leaves the region in addition to private forestry
development. The feasibility of establishing a mass production
softwood mill in the area requires further investigation, to
supplement existing private mills.
Opportunities to consider are:
Page 38
5.2.5
•
Large-scale timber processing – there may be an opportunity
for the establishment of a large-scale mill to utilise the
region’s State timber resource.
•
Small-scale timber processing – there may be scope for the
establishment of specialist processes (e.g. veneers) that are
viable on a small-scale if producing a high value product.
•
‘Niche’ timber processing - there may be greater scope to
accommodate small-scale ‘niche’ (hardwood) timber
processing in Livingstone Shire.
•
Forestry machinery and equipment repair - there may also
be scope to service the timber processing industry through
the establishment of forestry machinery manufacturing and
repair activities. This could vary from small components (e.g.
surveying, pruning equipment, etc.) to very large log hauling
and harvesting equipment.
•
Timber value adding – this refers to furniture or components,
other wooden components or finished products (doors,
windows, trusses, etc.).
Rockhampton serves as a major transport, warehousing and
distribution centre for the wider region.
The further
development of Rockhampton’s profile in this regard is
supported by recent infrastructure investments. (Some examples
of these investments are provided in Appendix C).
Competition from Rockhampton, and Yeppoon’s location
(effectively a cul-de-sac off the State’s north-south road, the Bruce
Highway) detracts from the opportunity for Yeppoon or Emu
Park to serve as a central transport and distribution hub.
Rockhampton is better placed in proximity to beef produce and
to markets in Brisbane and beyond.
There is an opportunity to build on existing transport activities
such as the handling of the region’s pineapples for transport to
Brisbane.
To this end, there is some potential for the
development of transport, warehousing and distribution facilities
in Livingstone Shire as follows:
•
Fruit Handling and Distribution - while the focus of
Rockhampton’s transport, warehousing and distribution
activities is on beef and mineral products, there is an
opportunity for Livingstone to establish a regional freight
transport interchange and handling facility for the region’s
unprocessed (and perhaps processed) fruit products.
Page 39
The potential for fruit handling and distribution to ex-regional
markets will be determined by a range of factors including
required economies of scale, access issues (compared to
competing locations such as Rockhampton) and the capacity to
accommodate such activities on industrial land in the Livingstone
Shire. This is considered in Section 5 of this report.
5.2.6
Retailing
Retailing is a major contributor to local economic activity.
Consultations, which were undertaken as part of this review
suggested that Yeppoon in particular, lacks major retail facilities.
It has been suggested that recent and anticipated population
growth supports the need for new supermarket and department
store facilities in Yeppoon. This view is consistent with the
recommendations put forward in the original scoping study,
which suggested that this need could be accommodated on land
adjacent to Area B at the intersection of Tanby Road and
Taranganba Road.
Retail supply in Livingstone Shire is highlighted by the Yeppoon
district centre, which provides for the daily and weekly retail
needs of the Capricorn Coast’s resident population. Yeppoon’s
central business district is anchored by the Bi-Lo Fresh
supermarket, which is supported by a range of specialty stores.
Yeppoon is complemented by local neighbourhood centres at
Taranganba, Cooee Bay, Lammermoor, Kinka, the Causeway and
Emu Park. These convenience centres provide for the daily/
weekly ‘top up’ shopping needs of local residents. At present,
the ‘comparison’ shopping needs of Livingstone Shire’s residents
are served by the department store facilities in Rockhampton.
Livingstone Shire has experienced substantial population growth
in recent years, and current official projections suggest that high
rates of growth will continue into the future, particularly along
the coastal strip. In addition to permanent resident population
growth, the continued growth in tourist numbers to the
Capricorn Coast will place added pressure on the shire’s retail
facilities. The potential for new retail facilities was identified in
the original Scoping Study, which recommended that future
expansion occur in Taranganba to the west of Area B on the
intersection of Taranganba Road and Tanby Road. However, the
proposal to develop new facilities outside of Yeppoon’s central
business district needs to be weighed against Council’s policy to
consolidate retail facilities in the CBD. Consideration must also
be given to the likely demand/ need for additional retail facilities
in the foreseeable future. (Retail need is assessed in the
subsequent section of this report).
Page 40
5.2.7
General Service Industry
Consultation with business sector representatives has indicated a
lack of support for the further development of general service
industry, with particular concern about the precinct identified at
Emu Park (refer Area 3, Figure 1). The most pressing issue for
Emu Park is the lack of basic and essential water and sewerage
infrastructure to support the needs of business operators.5
Recent and anticipated population growth in the shire suggests
that there will be a continuing growth in demand for general
services such as auto and marine repairs, sheet metal fabrication
and similar light industrial activities. Between 1999 and 2001, the
population of Emu Park is projected to have 3.8% per annum
growth rate (source: PIFU).
Residents and local business
operators from Emu Park need to travel to Yeppoon or
Rockhampton to obtain a range of general services. A number of
general services are also being provided in Emu Park by
‘backyard operators’ (e.g. mechanics, welders, etc.) contrary to
the provisions of the current planning scheme.
By adequately enforcing planning scheme provisions and
investing in the provision of infrastructure in Area C, service
providers will be encouraged to consolidate their activities in a
dedicated node. This will have benefits for the service providers
and for the local community in the form of economies of
agglomeration and the clustering of related services in the one
location. Council’s commitment to a light industrial precinct in
Emu Park will also provide the catalyst for attracting new
investment to the town from both existing and potential new
business operators. Relocating the ‘backyard operators’ from
established urban areas and into a designated light industrial
precinct will also enhance the ‘lifestyle’ and ‘livability’ attributes
of the town. Ancillary benefits to Council will be realised in the
form of higher land values and potential rate revenue in the Emu
Park industry precinct.
Without adequately serviced designated industrial land (i.e.
water, sewerage and sealed roads), it is unlikely that potential
new business operators will be willing to locate in the area. As a
result, the needs of the local population will not be met. Emu
Park residents will continue to travel to Yeppoon or
5
A lack of basic infrastructure has a number of implications for existing
operators in the Emu Park light industry precinct. One such issue identified
is the absence of a water supply for fire fighting services, which places
businesses under substantial threat of damage or destruction from possible
fire hazards, which also makes those businesses a higher insurance risk than
what they otherwise would be in the presence of an adequate water supply.
Page 41
Rockhampton for these services, thereby sending potential local
retail dollars to these areas instead of spending locally.
General service industry opportunities that have been identified
for Emu Park include:
5.2.8
•
Small-scale
agricultural
maintenance and repairs.
•
Auto-marine sales, services and repairs.
•
Automotive sales, service and repairs.
•
Plant and building equipment hire services.
machinery
and
equipment
Tourism
Tourism is a sector of growing importance to the economic
prosperity of the shire. The tourism industry of the Capricorn
Coast is still in relative infancy with limited development. This is
in large part due to the area’s proximity to the Whitsundays
region, which has a highly developed product and market
profile.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that tourism on the Capricorn Coast
is still in the developmental phase and questions remain over the
extent to which the local community wants to see this sector
developed. A recurring comment made during the consultations
undertaken as part of this review was “we don’t want to become
another Gold Coast”.
The majority of visitors to the Capricorn Coast (and to the wider
Fitzroy Region for that matter) travel from other parts of
Queensland, and many of these are from inland areas of Central
Queensland. According to the Bureau of Tourism Research, just
over half of all domestic visitors to the Fitzroy region do so on a
day trip. Only 5% of visitors to the region are from overseas.6
The results of an on-going survey of visitors to the Capricorn
Coast Tourist Information Centre reveals that between 1996 and
1999, the number of visitors to the Capricorn Coast increased by
20%. Between 1999 and 2001, the visitor numbers increased by
7%.7 While this is only a small sample, it provides some
indication of recent trends in visitor numbers.
The regional planning project, Central Queensland, A New
Millennium, to date has identified obstacles to the continued
development of the tourism industry for Central Queensland.
6
7
Bureau of Tourism Research, “National Visitor Survey”, 2000
Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation, unpublished statistics, 2001
Page 42
This includes a limited awareness to outsiders of the region as a
tourism destination and, as a result, lower than could be achieved
visitor numbers. It also highlights a reluctance by investors to
contribute to the tourism product in order to promote the region
to wider State and national markets.
The study also suggested that the development of commercial
tourism product in the region is slow and its quantity and quality
needs to be improved. These issues are just as relevant to the
Capricorn Coast as they are to the wider region as a whole.
There have been a number of recent developments in the
Capricorn Coast and this does highlight a certain level of
confidence in the future of tourism in the region.
Opportunities for tourism include:
5.2.9
•
Tourist accommodation that is sensitive to the community’s
desire to preserve the natural beauty and village atmosphere
of the Capricorn Coast. Quality accommodation that is low
impact and which complies with local height restrictions
should be encouraged.
•
Recreation/ sporting facilities – certain facilities, such as golf
course developments, indoor and outdoor sporting
complexes, bush walking and horse trails, etc. serve the local
population, adding to the lifestyle appeal of the region.
Depending on the nature of the facility and standard of
service, such facilities can also act as a drawcard for visitors to
the area.
IT Service Industry
Livingstone Shire’s lifestyle attributes, and the community’s
desire to maintain those attributes, provides an opportunity to
encourage low impact high tech industry development in the
shire.
Opportunities
for
information
technology
and
telecommunications (IT&T) in Livingstone Shire are as follows:
•
The Livingstone Shire Council could support the
development of a national call centre. Call centres typically
locate in areas that can offer a reliable supply of labour, high
amenity and other lifestyle attributes such as access to
services and facilities and, of course, the necessary land
resource. Such a facility could be located in one of the shire’s
identified industry precincts within close proximity to
established urban areas.
Page 43
5.2.10
Knowledge/ Home-Based Industry
Over the last decade, a number of socio-economic trends such as
corporate and government downsizing and contracting of
services to specialist providers, improved communications and
information technology and a new found emphasis on lifestyle
factors has allowed for greater worker flexibility in many
occupations.
This has increased the incidence of ‘telecommuting’ and
‘teleworking’, and the emergence of home based businesses and
occupations. For those looking to establish a home-based
occupation, important considerations include lifestyle/ amenity,
appropriate infrastructure (particularly communications and
information technology) and access to household and business
services
(i.e.
‘livability’
factors).
Telecommunications
infrastructure capacity in particular, is a critical requirement for
emerging home-based businesses.
For Livingstone Shire, with the lifestyle attributes it can offer, the
attraction and retention of home-based businesses provides a
major opportunity for the future. It is important that the
development of home-based business activity in Livingstone
Shire be appropriate and consistent with the Council’s (and the
community’s) vision for the shire. Permitting dirty, noisy
business activities such as auto mechanics, sheet metal producers
or textiles manufacturers to operate ‘out of the backyard’
provides the wrong signals to industry, suggesting that these
sorts of activities complement the livability of the Capricorn
Coast when they clearly do not.8
It is the ‘lifestyle’ and ‘livability’ factors that need to be
maintained and promoted to attract the ‘knowledge-based’ home
businesses such as IT consultants, legal practitioners, education
and training specialists and doctors to the shire. While the results
of the 2001 Census on home-based business activity is not yet
available, Livingstone Shire’s lifestyle attributes and its location
in good proximity to a full range of services in Rockhampton and
a short flight to Brisbane, suggests that growth in home based
business is likely to increase. This potential must continue to be
encouraged and facilitated by Council. In doing so, Council will
be seen to be proactive and visionary in facilitating this emerging
opportunity as well as in the management and protection of
residential amenity.
8
Such uses are not permitted in residential areas, and will be directed to
appropriately zoned land in Livingstone Shire Council’s new IPA Planning
Scheme.
Page 44
Key roles for Council include promoting the growth of home
based business through clear policy and statutory frameworks
(i.e. its new IPA planning scheme). The Statement of Proposals
for a new Planning Scheme for Livingstone Shire puts forward a
number possible strategies to support home based business
development. This includes strategies to:
•
•
recognise home based employment as a legitimate use for
legal and workplace practice requirements; and
ensure essential utilities are adequate for the emergence of
telecommuting as the result of more people working from
home.9
The fact that Council is proposing ways to facilitate the potential
for home based business growth through the local planning
framework is encouraging.
5.2.11
Education Services
Tertiary Education
Investigations undertaken as part of the current study have
highlighted the strength of the region’s education sector. Key
educational infrastructure in the region includes the Central
Queensland University campus in Rockhampton, Central
Queensland Institute of TAFE campuses in Yeppoon and
Rockhampton and the CSIRO Tropical Beef Research Centre and
Tropical Agriculture Centre.
Education is a growth industry and the location of quality
education facilities helps to attract a wide range of skilled
workers and youth to an area. There is real potential to build on
this strength in order to deliver significant and tangible economic
and employment outcomes for the Livingstone Shire. Future
development should continue to build on existing strengths – the
role of CQU as a provider of international education (CQU has
the second largest number of international students in Australia)
and value adding to traditional industry strengths or drivers of
economic activity (agricultural research).
International education continues to grow as an industry in
Australia. As traditional industries look to new and innovative
production techniques and new products, education and R&D is
essential to success. Opportunities to consider include:
•
Student accommodation - student colleges to accommodate
international and other students studying at CQU in
Rockhampton.
9
Livingstone Shire Council, “Living in Livingstone, Statement of Proposals
for a new Planning Scheme for Livingstone Shire”, April 2001
Page 45
•
Research facility - research facilities that support the
activities of local/ regional industries (agriculture, mining,
manufacturing).
•
Business incubation facilities – As discussed in Section 2 of
this report, national and international industry trends show
that knowledge is increasingly replacing manual labour as the
driver of economic growth. Business and industry needs to
take up new technology if it is to keep pace with changing
economic circumstances and be competitive. This is a
particularly important issue for micro business or business
start ups without the resources necessary to afford new
technology. Local and regional authorities, other government
agencies and private enterprise can assist in this regard by
encouraging or even providing business and technology
incubation support.
Primary and Secondary Education
Land on Tanby Road in Yeppoon has been raised as an option to
accommodate a new high school in the Livingstone Shire. The
original scoping study nominated a parcel of land on the northeastern corner of Tanby Road and Taranganba Road as the site
for a future high school.10
As part of this review, the consultants spoke to representatives of
Education Queensland, which plans for education facilities
according to need (as determined by population) on a 15-year
time frame.
Education Queensland indicated that, should
Livingstone Shire’s population continue to grow at recent rates,
the shire will require an additional primary school and a high
school in the medium to long-term (i.e. 15 years).
According to data on population forecasts from the Queensland
Planning and Information Forecasting Unit (PIFU), Livingstone
Shire’s population has increased at an average annual rate of
4.9% since the last Census (i.e. 1996-2001). The forecasts suggest
that between 2001 and 2006, Livingstone Shire’s population will
increase at an average annual rate of 3.10%, and from 2006-2011
at a rate of 2.6%. Overall, between now and 2014, the population
of Livingstone Shire is expected to increase at an average annual
rate of 2.7%.
According to PIFU, between now and 2014, population growth in
Yeppoon is projected to account for more than one-third of
Livingstone Shire’s total growth. Around 30% of the growth is
expected to occur in the Hinterland (tidal, coastal and rural)
locality, while the remaining localities account for relatively small
shares of projected population growth. High rates of population
growth suggest that new primary and secondary school facilities
will be required within a 15 year period.
10
Lot 4 on RP617327.
Page 46
6.
Business/
Industry
Assessment
Opportunity
6.1
Key Locational Requirements
Table 1 documents the basic locational and operational
requirements of the business and industry opportunities
identified in the previous section.
This exercise refines the analysis by helping to identify the most
appropriate location for particular industry opportunities.
Page 47
Table 1: Key Requirements of Business & Industry Opportunities for Livingstone Shire
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing and Repair
Site Location, Access
Requirements
Site Requirements (lot size,
critical infrastructure, etc.)
Key Services, Inputs, Suppliers
Access to Markets
Mining machinery repair – could vary from
small components (communications), to
very large earthmoving equipment
•
Access to move very large
equipment in and out of site.
Access to mining operations
without going through
congested areas.
•
Varies according to scale of
operation.
3 phase power.
•
Freight in and out for supplies and
products – some very large and heavy.
Basic metal, welding, foundries, other
fabricating supplies, machinery
components. Possibly electronics
components and control equipment.
•
Close to users of
mining equipment –
fast response time.
Mining machinery manufacturing - could
vary from small components
(communications), to very large
earthmoving equipment; manufacturing
typically develops from base of repair
services
•
Access to move very large
Access to mining operations
congested areas.
•
operation.
3 phase power.
•
components; possibly electronics
•
Close to some users
of mining equipment
but access to wider
markets critical.
Agricultural machinery repair could vary
from small components eg sprayers, to very
large harvesting equipment
•
Access to move moderately
large equipment in and out
of site.
Access to agricultural
operations without going
through congested areas.
•
operation.
3 phase power.
•
•
Close to users of
agricultural
equipment – fast
response time.
Access to move moderately
large equipment in and out
of site.
Access to agricultural
operations without going
through congested areas.
•
operation.
3 phase power.
•
•
Close to users of
agricultural
equipment but access
to markets beyond
local critical.
Opportunity
•
•
•
Agricultural machinery manufacturing could vary from small components eg.
sprayers, to very large harvesting
equipment; manufacturing typically
develops from base of repair services
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 48
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing and Repair (cont’d)
Forestry machinery repair – could vary
from small components (surveying,
pruning), to very large log hauling and
harvesting equipment
•
Access to move large
Access to forestry operations
congested areas.
•
Forestry machinery manufacturing - could
vary from small components (surveying,
pruning), to very large log hauling and
harvesting equipment - manufacturing
typically develops from base of repair
services
Access to move large equipment
in and out of site; access to
forestry operations without going
through congested areas
•
•
•
•
operation.
3 phase power.
•
operation.
3 phase power.
•
•
•
products – some large and heavy.
•
Close to users of
forestry equipment –
moderately fast
response time.
products – some large and heavy.
•
Close to users of
forestry equipment
but markets beyond
local critical.
Page 49
Specialist Services to Mining (R&D, Equipment Testing, Analysis)
Opportunity
Mining R&D – could relate to exploration,
production or processing of the region’s
mineral resources.
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
Reasonable access/ location
for key industry players to
meet, conduct research and
exchange ideas.
May include the use of
chemicals and noisy
processes (if prototype
testing or processing).
•
Small if lab based; larger if
prototype process testing.
May be lab based or larger scale
process testing.
•
•
•
•
•
Information services/ research facilities
Meeting places
Communications services
Specialist lab supplies and equipment.
Skilled researchers (access to skilled
labour).
•
Proximity to source so that
samples can be received
quickly.
Close proximity to natural
resource/ extraction sites for
exploration.
Managers for consultation
May include use of
chemicals, noisy processes
(if prototype testing or
processing, though likely to
be small-scale if at all).
•
Lab and small workshop.
•
Grinding and analysis equipment/
specialist lab supplies and equipment.
Skilled researchers (access to skilled
labour).
•
Close to exploration
and production
(mines) or regional
offices of mining
companies; expect
mostly regional
market.
Typically in urban area or
close to exploration field
support.
•
•
Computing equipment; exploration
operations.
•
and production
(mines) or regional
offices of mining
companies; expect
mostly regional
market
•
Ore testing, analysis - specialist skill and
equipment based service; fast turnaround
time desirable.
•
•
•
•
Mining exploration data interpretation specialist skill based service; fast
turnaround time desirable.
•
•
•
Office based.
High capacity communications.
•
•
Information
publishing and
transmission
Meeting places.
Communications
services.
Page 50
Specialist Services to Mining (R&D, Equipment Testing, Analysis)
Opportunity
Exploration field support – requires a
logistical base for mobile field operations.
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
Good access to exploration
areas and/or exploration
data interpretation (see
previous opportunity).
Good road access for
movement of equipment
(drill rigs, seismic
equipment, vehicles, etc.).
•
Site should be big enough for
field equipment (drill rigs,
seismic equipment, vehicles, etc.).
Large parking lot.
Good storage facilities (large
storage shed).
•
Surveying equipment, drilling, seismic
equipment.
4WD vehicles.
•
and production
(mines);
local/regional
market only.
In central urban area or near
field support operations (see
previous opportunity).
•
•
Office based.
High capacity communications/
IT.
•
Software suppliers (but probably not
local).
Computing equipment.
Mining R&D and field operations
outputs.
•
Field operations in
mining, forestry and
agriculture; local/
regional market
•
Mapping (mining, forestry or agriculture) –
skill and IT based service.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 51
Specialist Services to Agriculture
Requirements
Access to Markets
Agricultural R&D – could relate to crop
varieties, strains, equipment, pest control,
productivity, harvesting methods, storage
and handling or processing.
•
Reasonable access for key
industry players to meet,
exchange ideas.
May involve agricultural
chemicals, odours.
•
Small if lab based; large area if
field trials required.
May be lab based or field trials or
both.
•
Libraries and information services;
meeting places; communications services.
Specialist lab supplies and equipment.
Skilled researchers.
•
Forestry R&D – could relate to tree varieties
and propagation, plantation management,
harvesting methods or processing
•
Reasonable access for key
industry players to meet,
exchange ideas.
May involve chemicals,
noisy processes.
•
Small if lab based; large area if
field trials required.
May have lab based component
as well as field trials.
•
Libraries and information services;
meeting places; communications services
specialist lab supplies and equipment
Lab equipment and support Skilled
researchers specialist lab supplies and
equipment
•
Typically centrally located
in rural areas among client
base.
•
•
Equipment suppliers.
•
•
•
•
•
Small to medium for storage of
equipment.
vehicles and supplies.
Large parking lot.
storage shed.
Could be located in rural
areas among client base or
in urban centre accessible to
wide range of clients.
•
•
Office based.
Communications/ IT.
•
Skilled labour.
•
Opportunity
•
•
Agricultural field support services – could
include contract crop spraying, fencing,
planting, harvesting.
•
Agricultural management support services
– could include agronomic advice, farm
management, hedging and other financial or
marketing advice
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Information
publishing and
transmission.
Meeting places.
Communications
services. Access to
wide market
desirable.
Information
publishing and
transmission;
meeting places;
communications
services; access to
wide market
desirable.
Farming operations.
local regional market
only.
Farming operations;
local/ regional
market only.
Page 52
Food Processing
Opportunity
Fruit processing – may include grading,
packing, canning, juicing, freezing or drying
local/ regional produce.
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
Close, preferably central to
supply catchment.
24 hour operation in peak
season and heavy vehicle
movements.
May impact on neighbours
Good access to rail or road
for transportation of
processed product to State
and national markets.
Access to port.
Good air access for transport
to overseas markets.
•
Subject to scale but large area for
delivery vehicles, processing
plant and storage of raw and
processed product.
Good road access in and out of
site.
High quality water and sewerage
services.
Substantial (i.e. 3 phase) power
supply.
•
Good transport (road, rail, port) to ship
products to major markets.
Good air access if international markets.
Reliable supplies of fruit of suitable
standard.
Moderately skilled seasonal labour.
•
Located together with or
very close to processing
functions. (Integrated
facilities encourage
economies of scale and more
efficient processing
outcomes).
Refrigeration and other
equipment may be noisy.
Good access to rail or road
for transportation of
processed product to State
and national markets.
Access to port.
Good air access for transport
to overseas markets.
•
Good road access in and out of
site.
Refrigeration equipment (may be
noisy).
Substantial power supply for
cooling.
•
Reliable supplies of raw or processed
fruit of suitable standard.
Moderately skilled labour.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Food storage and distribution – these
functions are usually associated together
and in close proximity to food processing
activities (see previous opportunity).
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Connections to
downstream supply
chain (supermarkets,
exporters).
Good transport;
national or even
international market
needed (road, rail,
port, air).
Connections to
downstream supply
chain (supermarkets,
exporters).
Page 53
Food Processing
Opportunity
Fruit processing equipment and supplies –
repair and manufacturing – may include
equipment for any of these activities.
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
•
•
•
•
Depending on scale of
products – may need open
access for large equipment;
may or may not be noisy
production processes.
Depends on products and scale of
operation – may require
significant power and water.
•
•
General road and rail access in and out.
fabricating supplies to undertake repairs.
Machinery components
Possibly electronics components and
control equipment.
Generally need access
to market beyond
immediate area
(local) for
manufacturing.
Page 54
Timber Processing
Opportunity
Timber processing – large scale – typically
saw mills, panel manufacturing, pulp and
paper.
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
Location central to large
resource base to ensure
sustainable, competitive
supply.
Large noisy operation.
Adequate buffer for noise
and air impacts.
Heavy traffic movements
year round. Access to interregional transport routes.
Good local and regional
road access for movement of
raw timber to plant.
•
Good access in and out of site for
transporting logs and finished
product.
Very large industrial sites
required.
Large scale good quality water
supply.
High voltage power supplies
On-site wastewater treatment or
high capacity off-site waste water
handling facilities.
•
High standard roads to bear loads from
large logging trucks; road, rail and port
access for shipment of bulk product.
Large, reliable source of timber of
suitable quality
Processing equipment.
Skilled and semi-skilled labour.
•
Access to national
markets required.
Ideally have nearby
associated industry to
use by-products, e.g.
sawdust, wood chips,
etc.
Reasonable access to
resource base.
May be noisy.
Adequate buffer for noise
and air impacts.
Significant traffic
movement. Access to interregional transport routes.
Good local and regional
road access for movement of
raw timber to plant.
•
Good access in and out of site for
transporting raw timber and
finished product.
Medium sized industrial sites.
Larger than average power
supply, water, sewerage.
•
Good standard road and ideally rail and
port for shipment of higher value
product.
•
Access to regional
and national markets
required.
•
•
•
•
Timber processing, small scale - special
processes (veneers) may be viable on a small
scale if producing a high value product.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 55
Timber Processing
Opportunity
Timber value adding – furniture or
components, other wooden components or
finished products (doors, windows, trusses,
etc.)
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
•
•
•
•
•
Location near raw material
not critical but desirable
Production processes may
be noisy, requiring adequate
buffer.
May require good highway
exposure if selling finished
product direct.
•
•
Subject to scale of operation but
small highly specialist operation
possible on small industrial lot up
to very large scale.
Generally good power supply.
May use water for some
processes.
•
•
General transport; may require
packaging, marketing.
Semi-processed raw materials (e.g. kiln
dried sawn timber, panel products)
Skilled labour (design and market skills).
Good connection to
specialist markets
nationally.
Page 56
General Service Industry
Requirements
Access to Markets
Opportunity
Automotive sales and repairs
•
•
Small light industrial lot of large
commercial lot (sales).
Basic power and water.
Communications/ IT.
•
•
Vehicle parts.
Skilled labour.
•
Local market.
Small light industrial lot of large
commercial lot (sales).
Communications/ IT.
•
•
Boat parts and materials.
Skilled labour.
•
Local/ regional
market.
Small to medium light industrial
lot.
Communications/ IT.
•
•
Equipment for hire.
Skilled and Semi-skilled labour.
•
Local market.
Small to medium light industrial
lot
May require 3 phase power
Water.
•
Suppliers of ink, paper and equipment
maintenance.
•
Generally
local/regional
market.
Small to medium sized industrial
lot.
Communications/ IT.
May require 3 phase power.
•
•
Access to design professionals, printers.
Semi-skilled staff.
•
Generally
local/regional
market.
Must be visible to passing
trade or in known precinct.
•
•
Marine sales and repairs
•
Must be visible to passing
trade or in known precinct.
•
•
•
Machinery and equipment hire
•
Visible to passing trade or in
known precinct.
•
•
•
Printing
•
Visible to passing trade or in
known precinct.
•
•
•
Packaging
•
•
•
Central for logistics but not
critical.
Medium and some large
vehicle movements.
Possibly noise.
•
•
•
•
Page 57
Professional Services, IT, Knowledge Based Industry
Requirements
Access to Markets
Opportunity
Marketing, Advertising
•
Within urban commercial
district.
Home-based location
suitable.
•
•
•
Office based.
Communications/ IT.
•
Good air links if serving clients out of
area.
Skilled marketing professionals.
Good knowledge of clients’ target
markets.
•
Generally local /
regional market,
though can be
national and
international.
Within urban commercial
district.
Home-based location
suitable.
•
•
•
Office based.
Communications/ IT.
•
Good air links if serving clients out of
area.
Skilled marketing professionals.
Good knowledge of clients’ businesses
and needs.
•
Generally local /
regional market,
though can be
national and
international.
Reasonable access for
employees.
Adequate staff car parking.
Attractive setting desirable
but not critical.
Low impacts on adjacent
areas.
•
Subject to size of operation;
generally small to medium size
commercial properties.
Very reliable, good capacity
communications services.
•
•
Communications/ IT.
Relatively large, capable semi-skilled
labour force.
Communications suppliers and services.
•
Generally regional
market but may can
also be national and
international
depending on
business (e.g.
national airline call
centre).
•
Other professional services
•
•
Customer service centre (call centre)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 58
Education
Requirements
Access to Markets
Opportunity
High school education
•
•
Subject to size of school but room
for sports fields desirable.
Communications/ IT.
•
Teaching staff, book and other education
supplies.
Local market, though can
be regional and in some
cases, international (e.g.
high school ESL).11
Subject to size of school but can
include sports fields and
workshops for practical training
for various trades.
Communications/ IT.
More capacity for some trades
training.
•
supplies (e.g. computing facilities,
workshop facilities).
•
Largely local or
regional market.
Subject to size of school but can
include sports fields, retail
precinct, student union facilities,
etc. However, an associated
college or training facility would
require relatively small space.
Communications/ IT.
•
supplies (e.g. computing facilities,
research facilities).
•
Local, regional,
national or
international market.
Ready access by public
transport.
•
•
•
TAFE/ Vocational education.
•
•
University education
•
11
transport.
Certain functions can be
located in established,
centrally located urban areas
(commercial precinct or in
some cases, predominantly
residential areas).
•
transport.
residential areas).
•
•
•
•
•
•
English as a Second Language.
Page 59
Education
Opportunity
Other education (e.g. English language
college, other specialist education).
Requirements
Access to Markets
•
transport.
residential areas).
•
•
•
Subject to size of school.
Communications/ IT.
•
supplies (e.g. computing facilities).
•
Local, regional,
national or
Usually located on the
grounds of or close
proximity to a University
but not necessary.
Could be located in
established, centrally located
commercial precinct or
residential area.
Good access by road and
public transport.
•
Basic infrastructure (power and
water).
Communications/ IT.
•
Academic output of associated
educational or research institution.
Support and involvement from relevant
academic staff of the educational
institution.
Access to business mentors/ advisers.
Financial support (subsidies) from parent
organisation/s (university, government).
•
Usually local or
regional market.
•
Business incubation facilities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 60
Tourism, Recreation/Leisure/Entertainment
Requirements
Access to Markets
Opportunity
Tourist Accommodation
•
Proximity to tourist
attraction(s) – natural,
historical, cultural, manmade.
Good access by air and road.
Close proximity to national/
international airport.
•
•
•
Communications/ IT.
Depending on critical mass/
required economies of scale land
area or building height limits
must accommodate room
requirements and other needs
(e.g. recreational facilities on site).
•
Customer service and semi-skilled staff.
•
Local, regional,
national or
Good access by road.
Parking.
•
Depends on nature of facility (e.g.
a golf course would require a
substantial parcel of land, while
informal neighbourhood park can
take up only a hectare or less).
•
Depends on nature of facility, whether
formal or informal but at the least, a
suitable supply of unskilled or semiskilled labour.
•
Usually local or
regional but can be
wider, depending on
facility.
•
•
Recreation/ sporting facilities
•
•
•
Page 61
7.
Recommendations for Business and
Industry – Retail Development
7.1
Retail Analysis
7.1.1
Preceding Recommendations
Livingstone Shire Council, in its review of its planning scheme,
will need to consider the appropriate location of retail uses in the
shire. The original scoping study considered retail needs in the
shire, suggesting that anticipated population growth would
trigger the need for a 5,000 to 6,000 square metre supermarket/
neighbourhood centre in the near future (by 2003).12 It also
suggested that a discount department store would be required
within 10 to 15 years.13
Consistent with Livingstone Shire Council’s strategic planning
objectives, it was recommended in the original study that, if
possible, new retail development be consolidated in the existing
town centre of Yeppoon (i.e. the Yeppoon central business
district). Specifically, it was recommended that Council explore
the possibility of relocating the existing rail terminal to Bondoola
(Area A) to free up a large parcel of land under single ownership
in the central business district (CBD).
However, it also
acknowledged that land constraints and fragmented ownership
of land could make it difficult to acquire an adequate parcel of
land in the CBD. Investigations undertaken as part of this
review, including consultations with representatives of QR,
confirm that it is unlikely a relocation of the rail terminal would
be feasible.
Further, the original study suggested that a 30-hectare parcel of
land be reserved at the intersection of Taranganba Road and
Tanby Road for a mixed retail/ commercial/ low impact industry
area. It was suggested that (given land constraints in the
Yeppoon CBD), the area’s next supermarket could be located here
within five years (i.e. by 2003). It was recommended that higher
order facilities (i.e. a department store such as a Myer or similar)
12
13
Neighbourhood centres cater for high frequency shopping trips and usually
have a small supermarket (such as an IGA) and a few specialty shops that
cater for daily/ convenience shopping needs (e.g. chemist, newsagent,
bakery, butcher, and greengrocer). Neighbourhood centres vary in size,
typically up to 5,000 square metres. (See Appendix E for descriptions of
retail centre types).
Discount department stores include discount variety stores such as Big W
(selling both groceries and personal and household goods such as clothing
and home accessories), chain discount stores such as Crazy Clarke’s and
independent discount variety outlets.
Page 62
be located elsewhere in order to consolidate commercial activity
within 10 to 15 years (by 2013).
Council has indicated that anticipated demand may not justify
the reservation of large parcels of land for a supermarket and
department store within the time frame suggested in the original
scoping study. To this end, the retail needs of Livingstone Shire
have been reviewed as part of the current study. Specifically, this
analysis considers whether the Livingstone Shire can support a
full line supermarket (such as a Coles or Woolworths) and
discount department store at some point in the foreseeable future.
7.1.2
Existing Retail Floorspace in Livingstone Shire
The regional retail economy can be defined as having three levels,
with Rockhampton as the main regional retail centre, followed by
Yeppoon as a district centre and then a number of small
neighbourhood or local centres (e.g. Emu Park, Cooee Bay). Over
and above this structure, ‘higher order’ or specialised retailing is
undertaken (irregularly and infrequently by the regional
population) in major centres within the Brisbane region. Profiles
on the retail centres in the region are provided below.
Rockhampton:
Role: regional centre, providing daily, weekly and (infrequent)
comparison shopping services.
Anchors: three discount department stores (Target, Kmart, Big
W) and two supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles).
Floorspace: n.a.
Other: regional personal and business services.
Distance from Yeppoon: 35 kilometres approx.
Yeppoon:
Role: district centre, providing daily and weekly retail items for
the district population.
Anchors: supermarket (2,600 sqm Bi-Lo Fresh).
Floorspace: 26,600 sqm (approximate gross retail space).
Other: local level personal and business services.
Neighbourhood / Local Centres:
Role: local convenience centres, providing ‘top up’ shopping for
daily/ weekly items.
Anchors: specialty shops (i.e. bakery, milk bar or newsagent).
Floorspace: ranges in size typically up to 5,000 sqm.
Other: n.a.
Distance from Yeppoon: varies.
More detailed definitions of each type of retail centre is provided
in Appendix E.
Page 63
7.1.3
Retail Demand in Livingstone Shire
Population Projections
At the time of the 1996 Census, Livingstone Shire had 21,992
residents in 8,316 households. Population in Livingstone Shire
has grown significantly in the recent past and is estimated to be
approaching 28,000 in 2001. Population projections suggest that
significant growth will continue into the future, especially along
the shire’s coastal strip.
Population projections for the shire are provided by the
Queensland Planning and Information Forecasting Unit (PIFU)
and are shown in Table 2 overleaf. Household numbers have
been extrapolated from these forecasts by applying 1996 average
household size to the population projections (i.e. 2.64 persons per
household).
Note that tourists and visitors add to the supportable retail
quantum within centres. Should tourism numbers increase
significantly in the Capricorn Coast, then it would be appropriate
to include visitors in the retail floorspace analysis. However, for
the purposes of this study, the analysis is based on retail
floorspace supported by usual residents in order to provide the
‘base case’ or conservative scenario.
Page 64
Table 2: Population and Household Forecasts for Livingstone Shire, 1996 - 2014
Livingstone Shire
Year
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Population Households
21,992
23,314
24,636
25,958
26,904
27,849
28,795
29,740
30,686
31,585
32,484
33,384
34,283
35,182
36,013
36,844
37,676
38,507
39,338
8,316
8,816
9,316
9,816
10,173
10,531
10,888
11,246
11,604
11,944
12,284
12,624
12,964
13,304
13,618
13,932
14,247
14,561
14,875
Hinterland (Tidal,
Coastal, Rural)
Yeppoon
10,358
10,704
11,051
11,397
11,744
12,090
12,400
12,709
13,019
13,328
13,638
13,970
14,303
14,635
14,968
15,300
3,917
4,048
4,179
4,310
4,441
4,572
4,689
4,806
4,923
5,040
5,157
5,283
5,408
5,534
5,660
5,786
5,740
5,961
6,182
6,402
6,623
6,844
7,108
7,372
7,637
7,901
8,165
8,463
8,761
9,059
9,357
9,655
2,171
2,254
2,337
2,421
2,504
2,588
2,688
2,788
2,888
2,988
3,087
3,200
3,313
3,426
3,538
3,651
The Caves to
Rockhampton Corridor
3,728
3,905
4,082
4,259
4,436
4,613
4,772
4,931
5,091
5,250
5,409
5,503
5,597
5,690
5,784
5,878
1,410
1,477
1,544
1,610
1,677
1,744
1,805
1,865
1,925
1,985
2,045
2,081
2,116
2,152
2,187
2,223
Emu Park
Rural South
2,780
2,894
3,008
3,121
3,235
3,349
3,441
3,532
3,624
3,715
3,807
3,862
3,917
3,973
4,028
4,083
1,051
1,094
1,137
1,180
1,223
1,266
1,301
1,336
1,370
1,405
1,440
1,460
1,481
1,502
1,523
1,544
Rural North
1,394
1,422
1,450
1,478
1,506
1,534
1,552
1,570
1,588
1,606
1,624
1,631
1,638
1,644
1,651
1,658
527
538
548
559
569
580
587
594
600
607
614
617
619
622
624
627
Hinterland North
1,063
1,082
1,101
1,120
1,139
1,158
1,171
1,184
1,198
1,211
1,224
1,235
1,245
1,256
1,266
1,277
402
409
416
424
431
438
443
448
453
458
463
467
471
475
479
483
894
935
976
1,016
1,057
1,098
1,141
1,184
1,228
1,271
1,314
1,349
1,383
1,418
1,452
1,487
338
353
369
384
400
415
432
448
464
481
497
510
523
536
549
562
Population sources:
1996 = ABS Census
1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 Queensland Planning and Information Forecasting Unit
Other Years: Straight line extrapolation
Household sources:
Extrapolated from population by applying 1996 average household size (2.64 persons per household)
Page 65
Retail Catchments
The retail model used in this analysis requires the identification
of retail catchments for various levels in the retail economy. The
following catchment assumptions are made:
•
Regional - Rockhampton’s regional level catchment is
assumed to be the Rockhampton sub-region. This means that
all regional level retail expenditure from households within
the region, including Livingstone Shire, is assumed to be
made in Rockhampton.
•
District - The Yeppoon district level catchment is estimated to
be approximately all of the district to the east of the half way
point between Rockhampton and the coast, including
Yeppoon, Emu Park and parts of the surrounding areas. For
the purposes of the analysis, this is:
⇒ 100% of Yeppoon;
⇒ 100% of Hinterland (Tidal, Coastal, Rural);
⇒ 0% of The Caves to Rockhampton Corridor;
⇒ 100% of Emu Park;
⇒ 50% of Rural South;
⇒ 0% of Rural North; and
⇒ 100% of Hinterland North.
Population and household projections for this area are
provided in Table 2.
•
Neighbourhood - Neighbourhood areas, located in Cooee
Bay, Taranganba, the Causeway, Kinka, Mulambin, Emu
Park, Keppel Sands, Cawarral, The Caves and other
neighbourhoods have local level catchments only.
Page 66
7.1.5
Livingstone’s Retail Requirements – Findings
and Recommendations
Assumptions
The assessment of Livingstone’s retail floorspace needs is shown
in Table 3 (all figures are shown in June 2001 dollars). The
assumptions upon which this analysis is based are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
There is capacity for significant retail expansion only in the
Yeppoon district based on population growth estimates and
forecasts, with all remaining areas within the shire being
capable of accommodating local level services only.
Households in the Yeppoon district level catchment (existing
and forecast) are as shown in the previous table.
Households in this catchment spend the same on shopfront
retailing as is shown by the Queensland average, in the ABS
Household Expenditure Survey 1998/99.14
Livingstone Shire can potentially capture 46% of the retail
expenditure made by households within its boundaries
(based on expenditure potential and capture data shown by
ABS Household Expenditure figures for 1998/99 and Retail
Census turnover figures for 1991/92).15 It is assumed that
district level retailing captures 44% of expenditure and 2% is
captured by local level (i.e. neighbourhood/ local centre)
retailing.16 The remaining 54% of expenditure is made in
regional locations (i.e. Rockhampton and beyond including
the Brisbane metropolitan area).
The Yeppoon district centre has 17,000 sqm of (leaseable)
retail floorspace (approx). Total gross retail floorspace is
estimated to be 26,600 sqm for the shire. It is assumed that
80% of this quantum is in the Yeppoon district centre, and
80% is leaseable floorspace.
Retail turnover density is based on the 1991/92 Retail Census
for Livingstone Shire, which shows $2,819/ sqm. Inflated to
June 2001 dollars, this figure is $3,530/ sqm.
Livingstone’s Retail Floorspace Requirements
The analysis indicates that:
•
•
14
15
16
Supply and demand for district level retail floorspace is in
broad balance at this point in time (i.e. 2001).
By about 2014, Yeppoon will be able to support an additional
8,000 sqm of retail floorspace.
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Household Expenditure Survey Summary
of Results, 1998-99”, Cat. No. 6530.0
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Retailing in Queensland 1991-92”, Cat.
No. 8623.0
Based on previous SGS models.
Page 67
•
•
This could comprise a full line supermarket (e.g. 5,000 sqm)
plus 30 specialty shops or a small discount department store.
It is unlikely that a full line discount department store
(approx. 7,500 sqm) could be supported in Yeppoon within a
14-year horizon, although a smaller version may be a
possibility.
The trigger point for a new supermarket is approximately 8
years (i.e. 2009/10).
Table 3: Retail Floorspace Needs, Livingstone Shire, 2001-2014
Year
Households
Household
Expenditure on
Shopfront
Retailing
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
8,297
8,575
8,853
9,131
9,403
9,674
9,945
10,217
10,488
10,762
11,035
11,309
11,583
11,856
$16,893
$140,153,851
$144,854,051
$149,554,251
$154,254,451
$158,838,391
$163,422,331
$168,006,272
$172,590,212
$177,174,153
$181,796,420
$186,418,688
$191,040,956
$195,663,224
$200,285,491
District Level
Expenditure
Capture
Supportable
Floorspace
Based on
Retail
Turnover
Density
44.0%
$61,667,694
$63,735,782
$65,803,870
$67,871,958
$69,888,892
$71,905,826
$73,922,760
$75,939,693
$77,956,627
$79,990,425
$82,024,223
$84,058,021
$86,091,818
$88,125,616
$3,530
17,470
18,055
18,641
19,227
19,799
20,370
20,941
21,513
22,084
22,660
23,236
23,812
24,389
24,965
Floorspace
Differential
Based on
Existing
Floorspace
17000
-470
-1,055
-1,641
-2,227
-2,799
-3,370
-3,941
-4,513
-5,084
-5,660
-6,236
-6,812
-7,389
-7,965
Recommendations
Based on these findings, the following recommendations are
made:
•
•
17
That the reservation of land for the development of a full-line
supermarket in the next few years (i.e. by 2003) is not
warranted. To this end, the proposed 30-hectare parcel of
land at the intersection of Tanby Road and Taranganba Road
should not be designated in Livingstone’s new planning
scheme for the purpose of anticipated retail development.
That Council continues its discussions with QR regarding
options for the existing Yeppoon rail terminal in the medium
term.
Depending on industry developments, the
requirements of QR and its customers may change over the
next decade. The Pineapple Patch site (Area A) should
continue to be considered as a possible alternative location for
Yeppoon’s rail terminal, serving the transport and
distribution needs of the region’s fruit growing industry.17
The existing rail siding on the Pineapple Patch site (Area A) makes it an
ideal candidate to house a relocated Yeppoon rail terminal in the long-term.
Page 68
8.
Recommendations for Business and
Industry – Designated Areas
Each of the short listed opportunities for business and industry
development in Livingstone Shire need to be considered against
local land resource attributes and the capacity to accommodate
further development. As explained in Section 1.3 of this report,
one of the objectives of this review is to provide commentary on
the currency and adequacy of Areas A, B and C to accommodate
the future development of business and industry in Livingstone
Shire.
The attributes, constraints and other notable features of each
designated industry node are considered in turn below.
Following the assessment of each site, a qualitative assessment is
made of each business and industry opportunity, followed by
recommendations to accommodate future business and industry
development in the Livingstone Shire.
8.1
Assessment of the Pineapple Patch Site
(Area A)
The Pineapple Patch site, which is located south-west of Yeppoon
on the Rockhampton Road, mainly contains working pineapple
farms. Triangular in shape and largely characterised by gentle
slopes with steeper areas to the east, the site is 436.18 hectares in
area.18
Although the Pineapple Patch site is currently used for
agricultural purposes, investigations undertaken as part of the
original scoping study showed that the land is, in fact, relatively
marginal for this use. The site is zoned Rural A under the current
Livingstone Shire Planning Scheme (see Figure 14).19 Table 4
provides an overview of site attributes and constraints as
observed by the consultants.
18
19
Area A also contains some dwellings. A bulk soil and gravel retail outlet is
being developed on Yeppoon Road.
Livingstone Shire Council is in the process of preparing a new planning
scheme for the Shire. The findings of this review of the original Business/
Industry Scoping Study will help to inform the preparation of the new
scheme.
Page 69
Figure 14: Land Use Zoning – Area A and Surrounds
Page 70
Table 4: Site Assessment, Area A
Key Attributes:
9
9
9
9
Topography is conducive to development: The site
is characterised by gentle slopes generally less than
5%, except for the eastern escarpment, which drops
steeply down to the coastal plain and foothills.
Proximity to inter-regional transport routes (road
and rail): With the Yeppoon Road (a sealed arterial
road) and the railway line forming its northern
border, the Pineapple Patch site is well located with
respect to regional transport. Area A could
accommodate heavy industries that require good
access to inter-regional transport routes and which
generate heavy traffic movements. Heavy traffic can
access the site from the south and from the north
while avoiding the congested urban area of
Yeppoon.
Proximity to compatible land uses: A substantial
parcel of land to the south west of the site is already
zoned for (heavy) industry purposes.
Removed from conflicting land uses: The site is
removed from the established urban area of
Yeppoon with rural and semi-rural uses to the south
and east. The site is located in close proximity to the
existing Yeppoon landfill and the proposed
sewerage treatment plant adjacent to Area A. (This
land is owned by Livingstone Shire Council). The
required 800 metre buffer around the treatment
plant should not restrict heavy industrial
development.
Constraints:
8
Close to Yeppoon town entrance: The site is located
on the main highway (Yeppoon Road) as traffic
enters the Yeppoon urban area. It is highly visible to
passing traffic. Heavy industrial development at
gateway to Yeppoon would detract from the visual
amenity of the shire. (Consideration should also be
given to the large number advertising billboards that
are currently placed along Yeppoon Road prior to
entry to the town, and pressure for more advertising
space alongside future industrial development).
8
Lack of basic infrastructure: Basic infrastructure,
such as water and sewerage, is not available and
would require substantial investment for industrial
purposes.
8
Steep slopes and visual impact on residential areas:
There are steep slopes on the eastern side of the
Pineapple Patch site visible to residences on the
coast (see Figure 15).
Page 71
Page 72
Figure 15: Land Use Constraints – Area A and Surrounds
Page 73
8.2
Assessment of the Taranganba/ Tanby
Road Site (Area B)
Area B, covering 322.25 hectares, consists of three lots, with the
largest parcel of land (300 hectares) fronting Taranganba Road
and two smaller parcels of around 10 hectares each, one fronting
Tanby Road and one fronting Taranganba Road. The site is in the
vicinity of an established urban area. Land to the south-east is
largely undeveloped and has an eastern aspect overlooking the
ocean. The site's western boundary abuts a number of 10 hectare
Rural B zoned lots along Tanby Road. Land to the south is
largely undeveloped.
The large parcel within the site is currently zoned Rural. The
smaller parcel in the north of the site, abutting Tanby Road, is
zoned Residential A allowing for the development of
approximately 80 lots (see Figure 16). Table 5 provides an
overview of site attributes and constraints as observed by the
consultants.
Table 5: Site Assessment, Area B
Key Attributes:
9
9
Location: The locational features and characteristics
of the site make it suitable for a wider range of urban
uses other than industrial development. Proximity
to established urban development makes the site
conducive to light commercial activities and a mix of
other uses, including general service industries,
recreational and educational uses. (The site abuts
established residential development, including the
Taranganba School that adjoins the site).
Infrastructure: The site can be easily serviced with
water, sewerage and access to roads.
Constraints:
8
8
Potential for conflicting land uses: The site’s
proximity to urban development to the immediate
north makes it unsuitable for heavy industry uses.
The site also abuts ten rural residential lots to the
immediate west on Tanby Road.
Visual impact on residential areas: The site’s
eastern ridge is highly visible to residential areas
making it unsuitable for industrial activities that
detract from the aesthetic amenity of Yeppoon.
Page 74
Table 5: Site Assessment, Area B (cont’d)
Constraints:
8
8
8
Poor transport access: The site is not well located in
regard to main highway access. Access to the site is
via Taranganba Road, which is a local collector road,
subject to upgrading. This is not suitable for heavy
industry that generates substantial and heavy traffic
movements. Tanby Road, which is a sealed arterial
road, lies adjacent to the site. However, access from
the west may impact upon the amenity of residents
along Tanby Road.
Flood prone land: According to the site constraints
analysis undertaken as part of the original Scoping
Study, there are portions of floodprone land in the
north of the site, forming the headwaters of Ross
Creek.
Basic infrastructure: Provision of water and
sewerage requires extension of existing services to
the site.
Site constraints of Area B are shown in Figure 17.
8.3
Assessment of the Emu Park Industry
Node (Area C)
The Emu Park industrial precinct covers an area of 112.83
hectares. It is separated from the established town of Emu Park
by the town’s air strip, which is used by a small number of ultralight aircraft, mainly for recreational purposes.
The site
comprises the former Department of Lands subdivision of ten
industrial allotments. There are currently six general service
businesses operating out of Area C included in the light industry
zone. (Activities include welding/ metal fabrication, housing
materials (awnings), auto maintenance and repairs and
equipment hire (earthmoving). Livingstone Shire Council owns
four of the allotments in Area C. The area has exposure to Emu
Park Road.
The south-western portion of the site is currently zoned Special
Purpose. Six of the blocks within the site’s existing subdivision
are zoned Light Industrial. Land to the north of the industrial
subdivision is zoned Rural A and the former rifle range to the
south west is in the Special Purpose zone. Land use zoning for
Area C and surrounds is shown in Figure 18. Table 6 provides an
overview of site attributes and constraints as identified as part of
this review.
Page 75
Table 6: Site Assessment, Area C
Key Attributes:
9
9
9
Land already designated for commercial use: The
site consists of a core area of established light
industrial activities on six lots as designated in the
current planning scheme.
Removed from conflicting (residential) land use:
The sewerage treatment plant, golf course, cemetery
and wetlands to the south of the site preclude urban
development. The northern portion of the site is also
precluded from intensive urban development due to
an extensive wetland area. The airstrip to the
immediate east provides a buffer between Area C
and the town of Emu Park.
Capacity to accommodate future development: The
existing lots could be subdivided to accommodate a
range of commercial uses if necessary. Only three of
the light industry zoned lots are occupied by
industrial activities at present and Livingstone Shire
Council owns four lots on Area C. The airstrip also
provides scope for future industrial development
(subject to an adequate buffer being established
between the urban area to the east).
Constraints:
8
Lack of basic and essential infrastructure: Area C is
unserviced with reticulated water and sewerage
infrastructure.
8
Poor internal road access: The site does not contain
sealed roads.
8
Limited exposure: The location of commercial
operators in the existing industrial area within the
site is removed from passing traffic along Emu Park
Road.
8
Poor transport access: The site is not well located in
regard to main highway access, making the site
unsuitable for industry that generates substantial
and heavy traffic movements and which requires
relatively easy access to inter-regional transport
routes.
Page 76
Table 6: Site Assessment, Area C (cont’d)
Constraints:
8
Underutilised Land: The airstrip, which abuts the
eastern side of the site is heavily underutilised.
There are currently a small number of ultra light
aircraft using the airstrip on an irregular basis for
recreational purposes. The airstrip is not maintained
to the standards of the national aviation authority.
8
Acid sulphate soils: The need to address the
presence of acid sulphate soils adds to unknown
costs of development on the site.
8
Land use conflicts: The proximity of the site to
sensitive wetlands and remnant vegetation to the
north constrain the level of development suitable to
Area C. Medium to heavy industrial activities
would increase the risk of impact on these wetlands.
8
Visual impact on residential areas: The southern
portion of the site is highly visible to the town of
Emu Park. Any substantial industrial development
would adversely impact on the visual amenity of
Emu Park and detract from the area’s lifestyle
appeal.
8
Majority of land is unsuitable for industrial
development: Due to the visibility impacts and
proximity to natural wetlands, much of the land
within Area C is not suitable for industrial
development. The only large tract of flat land is the
existing airstrip.
8
Community opposition to industrial development:
According to local stakeholders consulted as part of
this review, previous attempts to develop the
industrial profile of Emu Park have been strongly
opposed by the local community. However,
deterring medium to heavy industrial activity is
consistent with good town planning principles and
the community’s desire to preserve Emu Park’s
lifestyle attributes.
Page 77
Figure 16: Land Use Zoning – Area B and Surrounds
Page 78
Figure 17: Land Use Constraints – Area B and Surrounds
Page 79
Figure 18: Land Use Zoning – Area C and Surrounds
Page 80
Figure 19: Land Use Constraints – Area C and Surrounds
Page 81
8.4
Qualitative Assessment
Industry Opportunities
of
Business/
The list of business and industry opportunities in Section 6 and
Table 1 are subject to a qualitative assessment in Table 7. The
purpose of this assessment is to provide broad guidance for the
development of designated Areas A, B and C and desired
outcomes for land use planning controls on the Capricorn Coast.
The assessment criteria are not definitive. Rather, they have been
chosen to assist in identifying a preferred location for the
business or industry opportunity in the Livingstone Shire. The
criteria are as follows:
•
Link to existing competitive strength(s): As explained in
earlier sections of this report, an increasingly globalised and
competitive economy has increased the importance for local
economies to tap into regional, State and national chains of
economic activity.
For the business and industry
opportunities identified in this study, the stronger the link to
regional competitive strengths, the more likely it will succeed.
However, rather than replicating activity occurring elsewhere
in the region, those opportunities that are likely to succeed
are the ones that tap in to and build on the traditional drivers
of economic activity through innovation, value adding or
filling a niche in the supply chain.
•
Competition from other Central Queensland regions:
Although Livingstone Shire may have the land and resources
to
accommodate
certain
industry
opportunities,
Rockhampton and other parts of the wider region may be
better placed to capitalise on the opportunity. This could be
due to better locational attributes or closer links to established
industry or other factors. Where there is strong competition
for
opportunities,
particular
business/
industry
developments may be delayed or, may not occur at all in
Livingstone Shire. It has been acknowledged that efforts to
build on the Livingstone Shire’s traditional employers should
be balanced against emerging opportunities associated with
the area’s lifestyle attributes. The potential to build on the
lifestyle attributes of the Capricorn Coast must also be
considered in the assessment of business and industry
opportunities.20
20
Section 1.4 of this report provides a detailed discussion on the importance
of balancing opportunities that build on the region’s traditional industry
strengths with new and emerging opportunities that reflect the ‘lifestyle’
attributes of the Capricorn Coast.
Page 82
•
Locational and infrastructure issues: The previous sub-
section of this report considered land resource constraints
associated with each of the designated areas in Livingstone
Shire. Certain industry opportunities have critical needs in
regards to site access, inter-regional transport links and waste
disposal systems and buffers. For others, estate design and
highway frontage/ exposure is critical. The capacity of the
shire to accommodate certain opportunities will depend
heavily on the provision of basic infrastructure. For other
opportunities however, this may not be an issue.
•
Compatibility with Livingstone Shire’s strategic
planning objectives and lifestyle attributes: The desire
of the Livingstone Shire Council and community to preserve
and capitalise on the area’s natural features and associated
‘livability’ factors is critical to the assessment of opportunities
for business and industry in the shire. Those opportunities
that detract from the natural beauty of the Capricorn Coast
and its appeal as a place to live, should be discouraged.
Page 83
Table 7: Qualitative Assessment of Opportunities for Business and Industry in Livingstone Shire
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
Queensland regions or
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Agricultural and
Forestry
Machinery and
Equipment
Manufacturing
•
•
Could locate in any
number of areas,
though close proximity
to users of agricultural
machinery is an
advantage.
Potential conflict if
heavy machinery
needs to be
transported through
urban areas. (Access
to quality road
networks is critical).
Otherwise, no conflict
so long as located in
designated industry
node.
9
Area A
•
Note:
•
Agriculture
(beef, cotton)
Forestry
•
Buffers required
from residential
areas.
Good access to
major road
networks is
critical.
•
•
Could be
located in the
south-west or
central west of
Area A.
Visual impacts
from Yeppoon
Road may need
to be
addressed.
That heavy
traffic from the
north can
bypass the built
up urban area
to access the
site is a distinct
advantage.
999 = Livingstone Shire is a very strong candidate area
99 = Livingstone Shire is a strong candidate area but other candidate areas exist
9 = Livingstone Shire is one amongst other candidate areas
8 = Not suitable for Livingstone Shire
Page 84
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Agricultural and
Forestry
Machinery and
Equipment Repair
•
Noise generated
would require
appropriate buffers
from residential
areas.
Could locate in any
number of areas,
machinery is an
advantage.
heavy machinery
needs to be
transported through
urban areas.
designated industry
node.
9
Area A
•
•
Agriculture
(beef, cotton)
Forestry
Most
appropriately
located in the
west or southwest of Area A.
Mining Machinery
and Equipment
Manufacturing
•
Mining
•
Close proximity to
users of mining
machinery and
equipment is an
advantage. However,
could locate in other
regions or precincts.
The AMC development
at Stanwell near
Rockhampton would
be a strong candidate
due to likely synergies
there.
heavy machinery
needs to be
transported through
urban areas. (Access
to quality road
networks is critical).
designated industry
node.
9
Area A
•
Could be
located in the
south-west or
central west of
Area A.
Visual impacts
from Yeppoon
Road may need
to be
addressed.
That heavy
traffic from the
north can
bypass the built
up urban area
to access the
site is a distinct
advantage.
•
Note:
Buffers required
from residential
areas.
Good access to
major road
networks is
critical.
•
•
Page 85
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Mining Machinery
and Equipment
Repair
•
Mining
Noise generated
would require
appropriate buffers
from residential
areas.
Could locate in any
number of areas,
machinery is an
advantage.
heavy machinery
needs to be
transported through
urban areas.
designated industry
node.
9
Area A
•
Mining R&D
•
Mining
May require buffers
(if using chemicals
and noisy processes
for testing).
Could establish in
conjunction with major
new mining or
processing activities in
the region.
Small lab based R&D
would be compatible
with the community’s
vision for industries
that maintain the
lifestyle requirements
of the Livingstone
Shire.
99
Area A
Would be more
appropriate to colocate with related
industrial activities
in order to take
advantage of
potential synergies.
Ore Testing and
Analysis
•
•
Mining
Metal Product
Manufacturing
Could establish in
conjunction with major
new mining or
processing activities in
the region.
Small lab based R&D
would be compatible
with the community’s
vision for industries
that maintain the
lifestyle requirements
of the Livingstone
Shire.
99
Area A
Would be more
in order to take
advantage of
Note:
Most
appropriately
located in the
west or southwest of Area A.
Page 86
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Mining
Exploration Data
Interpretation
•
Mining
Mining and
Agricultural
Exploration/ Field
Support
•
•
Mining
Agriculture
Mapping Services
•
•
•
Mining
Forestry
Agriculture
Note:
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Being close to
exploration fields and
part of local/ regional
industry networks
would be an
advantage.
Use is compatible
with maintaining and
supporting
Livingstone Shire’s
99
Within existing
urban area or
Area B
Relatively small
land use/ floor area
requirements
support the location
of this activity in
established urban
areas should
development of
Area B not proceed
in the foreseeable
future.
Site should be large
enough to
accommodate field
equipment (e.g. large
mining exploration
equipment such as
drills).
Could locate in other
areas, particularly
where there is a
concentration of mining
and processing
activities.
located close to urban
areas.
9
Area A
Would be more
in order to take
advantage of
Operating within
local/ regional
industry networks
(close to source)
would be
advantageous.
Could locate in other
urban areas within the
region.
Use is compatible
with maintaining and
supporting
99
Within existing
urban area or
Area B
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Page 87
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Fruit Processing
•
Good access to road
and rail.
Likely to be strong
competition from
industry nodes closer
to the established
industry base in
Emerald.
Would not detract
from lifestyle
requirements if
located in appropriate
industry precinct
with adequate
buffers.
9
Area A
•
Agriculture
•
Fruit Processing
Equipment
Supplies, Repair
and
Manufacturing
•
Agriculture
Good access to road
and rail.
Likely to be strong
competition from
established industry
base in Emerald.
Would be compatible
if appropriately
located in industry
node.
9
Area A
Fruit Handling and
Transport/
Distribution
•
•
Agriculture
Transport,
Warehousing
and
Distribution
Good access to road
and rail.
Likely to be strong
competition from
established industry
base in Emerald.
Would be compatible
if appropriately
located in industry
node.
9
Area A
•
Large-scale Timber
Processing
•
Forestry
•
Strong competition
from other regions
throughout
Queensland.
Noise and odour
emissions may
detract from the
shire’s lifestyle and
tourism appeal.
8
n/a
n/a
•
Note:
Good access to
road and rail.
Adequate
buffers.
This use could
utilise the
existing rail
siding on Area
A.
Visual impacts
from Yeppoon
Road may need
to be
addressed.
Could utilise
the existing rail
siding on Area
A.
Page 88
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Small-scale
Timber Processing
•
•
Existing mills in the
shire and region meet
current industry
requirements.
Forestry
•
Niche Timber
Processing and
Value Adding
General Service
Industry
Note:
•
•
Forestry
Populationbased sector
that feeds off
economic
drivers/ base
industries and
lifestyle appeal.
Good access to
road and rail.
Adequate
buffers.
May require good
highway exposure if
selling finished
product direct from
manufacturer.
Could locate anywhere
in the region.
Good highway
exposure or in known
and readily accessible
precinct.
No competition,
generally serves local
market only.
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Small-scale operation
would be compatible.
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
8
n/a
n/a
9
Area A
•
•
Would be compatible
with serving the
essential needs of the
local population.
999
Area B and
Area C
Lack of basic
infrastructure
would be an
issue.
Proximity to
existing private
mill (to the
west of Area A)
may encourage
some synergies.
The provision of
basic infrastructure,
to consolidate the
existing industry
precinct as the core
of future expansion,
is critical.
Page 89
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Retail –
Supermarket
•
Retail –
Department Store
Retail – Specialty
Note:
•
•
that feeds off
economic
drivers/ base
industries and
lifestyle appeal.
that feeds off
economic
drivers/ base
industries and
lifestyle appeal.
that feeds off
economic
drivers/ base
industries and
lifestyle appeal.
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
999
n/a
n/a
See Section 7.1 for comprehensive retail needs analysis and recommendations for Livingstone Shire
999
n/a
n/a
999
n/a
n/a
Page 90
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
Tourist
Accommodation
•
Tourism
Proximity to
attractions.
May have minimum
building height
requirements for
project (construction)
feasibility and to
achieve operational
economies of scale.
Competitive market
generally, though
Capricorn Coast has
coastal features that
inland centres can’t
offer. Also faced with
competition from other
coastal regions
throughout
Queensland.
Environmentally
sensitive tourism
development is
supports the shire’s
vision for economic
development.
999
Coastal sites
throughout the
region. (Specific
location
depends on
development
requirements/
market factors).
Area B could
support shortterm
accommodation
facilities such as
a hotel/ motel.
Accommodation
development on
Area B would be
extensive rather
than intensive, to
comply with local
height restrictions.
Sports/ Recreation
•
that feeds off
economic
drivers/ base
industries and
lifestyle appeal.
Serves predominantly
local market.
Enhancing the shire’s
social infrastructure
base supports
Livingstone’s lifestyle
requirements.
999
Area B and Area
C. Recreation
and sporting
facilities could
locate on Area B
and Area C to
accommodate
needs of
growing
population.
Open space can
provide buffers
between
commercial and
residential land use.
Note:
Page 91
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Site-specific
Considerations
IT Service
Industry/ Call
Centre
•
•
Competition from all
over Australia.
•
999
Area B or land
adjacent to Area
B on the corner
of Tanby Road
and Taranganba
Road. (30
hectare parcel of
land nominated
in original
scoping study
should be
considered).
Road access issues
may need to be
addressed.
999
Built up urban
areas.
Would help to expose
young, skilled people
to the Livingstone
Shire.
99
Area B
Would add to the
diversity and depth
of skills in the shire.
9
Area B
Lifestyle and
livability
factors are
important.
•
Attractive setting
desirable but not
critical.
Call centre
proponents often
seek affordable
for low set
building.
•
Knowledge/
Home-based
Business
•
Lifestyle and
livability
factors are
important.
Good
communications
infrastructure is
critical.
Competition from all
over Australia.
Tertiary Student
Accommodation
•
Education
Close proximity to
education facilities is
highly desirable.
Would compete with
Rockhampton.
Education
Research Facility
•
Education
Note:
Encourages
opportunities for
industrial
innovation and
emerging
technologies.
Compatible with
lifestyle
requirements.
Page 92
Industry
opportunities
Link to region/
existing
competitive
strength
Business
Incubation Facility
(micro-business
support)
•
Education
Primary/
Secondary
Education Facility
•
Education
Notable Locational
or Infrastructure
issues
Determined by
population
requirements.
Competition from
other Central
localities
Compatibility with
Strategic Planning
Objectives
Overall
Assessment
Likely location
in the
Livingstone
Shire
Would compete with
Rockhampton.
Would add to the
diversity and depth
of skills in the shire.
9
Area B
Serves predominantly
local market.
Quality education
facilities are critical to
any region’s lifestyle
appeal.
9
New facility not
required in the
short-term.
However, likely
location (in the
medium-term)
would be in
high growth
area of
Yeppoon/
Taranganba.
See Section 5.2.11 for commentary on educational facility requirements
Note:
Site-specific
Considerations
Page 93
8.5
Recommendations
Industry
for
Business
and
As explained in the introduction to this report, there is a strong
desire within the community to maintain Livingstone Shire’s
high quality natural environment and its lifestyle attributes,
while accommodating a variety of small, environmentally
friendly industries established in appropriate locations.
Consideration of this underlying objective, coupled with an
understanding of Livingstone Shire’s ‘place’ in the regional
economy, determines the need to identify those business and
industry activities that can support the development of a diverse
and robust local economy. The preceding analysis suggests, in
broad terms, the following priorities for Livingstone Shire:
•
•
•
•
•
Information Technology (IT) Service Industry.
Knowledge-driven Home-based Business Activity.
Tourist Accommodation.
Higher Order Business and Technical Services to Mining,
Manufacturing and Agriculture.
Education and Related Services.
Community services such as retailing, general service industry
and health are driven largely by the size and needs of the local
population. This study has made specific recommendations
about the need for local retail facilities, general service industry
and local education services. These recommendations, along
with commentary on the currency and adequacy of Study Areas
A, B and C is summarised as follows.
Retail
According to the retail analysis undertaken as part of this study,
supply and demand for district level retail floorspace is in broad
balance at the present time (i.e. 2001). Yeppoon will be able to
support an additional 8,000 sqm of retail floorspace by about
2014. This could comprise a full line supermarket (e.g. 5,000 sqm)
plus 30 specialty shops or a small discount department store.
Population forecasts suggest that a new supermarket could be
required in about 8 years from now (i.e. 2009/10).
The original scoping study proposed the reservation of a 30
hectare parcel of land adjacent to Area B for the establishment of
a new supermarket by around 2003. However, using revised
population forecasts from the Planning Information and
Forecasting Unit (PIFU), and considering the current retail
floorspace needs of the area, it is advised that the reservation of
land for the development of a full-line supermarket in the next
Page 94
few years (i.e. by 2003) is not warranted. To this end, the
proposed 30-hectare parcel of land at the intersection of Tanby
Road and Taranganba Road need not be designated in
Livingstone’s new planning scheme for the purpose of
anticipated retail development. However, this land would be
suitable for the location of an IT service centre/ call centre facility
or similar low impact business activity.
The development of a supermarket or discount department store
to the south of Area B, at the intersection of Tanby Road and the
future east-west arterial should not be considered in the mediumterm.
Council’s strategic planning objectives highlight the desire to
consolidate retail activities in the existing urban centre of
Yeppoon wherever possible. While there is no short-term need to
reserve land for a supermarket of similar facility, it is
recommended that Council continues its discussions with QR
regarding options for the existing Yeppoon rail terminal in the
medium to long-term. Depending on industry developments, the
requirements of QR and its customers may change over the next
decade. The Pineapple Patch site (Area A) should continue to be
considered as a possible alternative location for Yeppoon’s rail
terminal, potentially serving the transport and distribution needs
of a range of possible industrial uses proposed that would be
appropriate on that site (see below for commentary on Area A).
Education
A parcel of land on the north-eastern corner of Tanby Road and
Taranganba Road has been previously nominated as the site for a
future high school. Based on discussions with Education
Queensland and an analysis of population forecasts provided by
PIFU, it can safely be assumed that the Livingstone Shire will
require an additional primary school and a high school in the
medium to long-term (i.e. 15 years).
While a detailed
consideration of alternative sites would be required as part of a
full needs assessment, it is likely that a future school facility
would be most appropriately located close to residential
convenience in the Yeppoon/ Taranganba area.
According to PIFU, between now and 2014, population growth in
Yeppoon is projected to account for more than one-third of
Livingstone Shire’s total growth. Around 30% of the growth is
expected to occur in the Hinterland (tidal, coastal and rural)
locality, while the remaining localities account for relatively small
shares of projected population growth.
It is recommended that the parcel of land on the north-eastern
corner of Tanby Road and Taranganba Road be reserved as
Special Purpose to accommodate a secondary or P-12 school in
Page 95
the medium term (15 years).21 Commentary on tertiary education
and related opportunities is made below.
Designated Area A (Pineapple Patch)
As highlighted in Section 8.3, the topography of the Pineapple
Patch site, and its distance from the established urban areas of
Yeppoon, makes the area conducive to land extensive industrial
development. The most appropriate development zone is in the
west and south-west of the site, away from the site’s eastern
slopes, which are visible from the coast.
The type of medium to heavy industrial activities that have been
identified that would be appropriate to the Pineapple Patch site
include:
•
•
•
•
•
Mining and Agricultural Machinery and Equipment
Manufacturing and Repairs.
Technical Services to Mining (R&D, ore testing, exploration
field support).
Small-scale Fruit Processing.
Transport, Storage and Distribution.
Small-scale/ Niche Timber Processing and Value Adding
(e.g. furniture manufacture).
These uses would be compatible with nearby industrial land uses
to the north and west of Area A.
Before any development proceeds on the site, essential
infrastructure would need to be provided. If it does proceed,
heavy industrial development would need to address potential
visual impacts on the Yeppoon Road.
Heavy industrial development in Area A is a medium-term
proposition at best. This is due to a range of factors, including
infrastructure issues, Council’s and the community’s vision to
maintain the natural features and lifestyle attributes of the shire,
Livingstone’s ‘place’ in the regional economy and likely
competition from other heavy industry nodes. Discussions held
with a number of representatives of the Department of State
Development indicated that heavy industry would not be
actively pursued in Livingstone Shire. These discussions also
suggested that the take-up of industrial land in the sub-region
has been and will continue to be relatively slow.
The
development of light or medium industry in Area A would be a
longer-term proposition, given the site’s removal from the
established urban area of Yeppoon and the lack of infrastructure.
It is recommended that at this point in time, Area A need not be
designated for industrial purposes. However, the potential for
medium to long-term development (15 – 20 years) suggests that,
while the existing rural zoning should remain, the site should be
21
Preschool to Year 12.
Page 96
considered for future industrial development of an acceptable
nature.
Designated Area B (Taranganba/ Tanby Road)
The location of Area B, as the natural extension of urban
development from the immediate north makes it unsuitable for
heavy industrial development. Poor transport access to the south
of the site and visual impacts along the eastern boundary also
detract from this type of development.
As highlighted in the original scoping study, the northern portion
of Area B, close to established residential development and
associated community facilities (education, open space), makes it
well suited for light business/ commercial development to serve
the local population (i.e. a district integrated employment centre
serving the needs of Yeppoon and the shire population). Such a
concept is supported by the findings of this review.
Population projections for the Livingstone Shire, a third of which
is expected in the Yeppoon district, supports the concept of Area
B serving as a natural extension to residential development from
the north and north-east. However, the retail analysis in Section
7 of this review shows that, at present, retail demand and supply
is in balance. Population forecasts, while healthy, suggest that a
full-line supermarket would not be required for at least another
eight years (i.e. 2009/10). For this reason, the proposal to reserve
a parcel of land adjacent to Area B for retail development is
rejected. This area is suitable for low impact, light, high tech
service industry such as an information technology (IT) service
centre/ call centre. Other activities that are consistent with this
concept include tertiary education facilities such as student
accommodation, research facilities and business incubation
facilities. These opportunities reflect the region’s strength as a
provider of education services, and the continued and anticipated
growth of this sector nationally.
Short-term (hotel/ motel) accommodation would also be suitable
to the Taranganba/ Tanby Road industry node. These facilities
could be integrated with education and research activities in this
precinct as well as providing accommodation for short-stay
tourists to the Capricorn Coast. The opportunity to secure the
low lying land in the northern portion of Area B (the headwaters
of Ross Creek) for recreational use, as put forward in the original
scoping study, is supported.
The parcel of land on the north-western corner of Tanby Road
and Taranganba Road should be reserved to accommodate a
secondary or P-12 school in the medium term (15 years).
The Business/ Industry frame area for Yeppoon, which
incorporates the recommendations made in this report, is
illustrated in Figure 20.
Page 97
Figure 20: Business/ Industry Frame Area - Yeppoon
Page 98
Designated Area C (Emu Park)
The consultants’ research and consultations held with various
public and private sector stakeholders during the course of this
study support the need for designated land for the current and
future general service industry requirements of the population of
Emu Park. Future expansion of general/ light commercial
activities in Emu Park should build on the established industrial
precinct within Area C. This would support Livingstone Shire
Council’s objectives for consolidated industrial activity in
appropriate nodes.
However, as highlighted in Table 6, the lack of basic and essential
infrastructure at the Emu Park industry node is a deterrent for
investment from existing or potential new businesses in the area.
Despite the new licensing provisions of the Environmental
Protection Act, anecdotal evidence suggests that there are
numerous ‘backyard operators’ engaged in dirty and noisy
business activities within Emu Park’s established residential
areas. The continuation of these activities detracts from the
lifestyle image of Emu Park. Home-based activities that should
be encouraged throughout the shire are those ‘knowledge-based’
activities referred to in Section 5.2.10 of this report, that meld
with surrounding residential areas.
Future light industrial development should be encouraged to
consolidate around the existing precinct at Emu Park through
Council’s statutory planning mechanisms. It is recommended
that Council invest in the provision of basic infrastructure (water,
sewerage and power) to the Emu Park industry precinct.
Investment in the precinct’s internal road network is also
required. Coupled with appropriate directional signage, this will
provide better access and improve customers’ awareness of the
precinct. An infrastructure charge under the Integrated Planning
Act would help to recoup Council’s cost of infrastructure
provision.
While the rifle range in the eastern portion of Area C was
previously mooted for industrial development, it was decided by
Council not to proceed as the site is highly visible from the Emu
Park Road and in close proximity to an existing residential area.
Instead, it is recommended that a suitable portion of land on the
former rifle range site be established as a dedicated recreational
reserve, so that it provides a buffer between the industrial estate
and residential development to the west as well as adding to the
shire’s recreational assets.
The original scoping study proposed that the airstrip be
considered a longer-term possibility for the expansion of light
industry in Area C. The airstrip is currently used by a small
number of ultra-light aircraft, mainly for recreational purposes.
In its current condition, the airstrip does not meet national
aviation authority safety standards. It is unlikely that the airstrip
will develop to accommodate more frequent use in the future
Page 99
unless there is substantial investment in the facility. Irrespective,
any growth in the region’s air freight traffic and passenger
movements would occur at Rockhampton Airport where the
necessary threshold investments have already been made. There
are also a number of other airfields of a more developed capacity
in the region to accommodate any increase in light aircraft traffic
in the region.
It is recommended that the airstrip be maintained as Special
Purpose land in its current use until future industrial
development (in the medium to long-term) warrants potential
relocation of the airstrip and upgrading of the land to
accommodate such development.
The Business/ Industry frame area for Emu Park is illustrated in
Figure 21.
Page 100
Figure 21: Business/ Industry Frame Area – Emu Park
Page 101
References
Argo Consulting, “Dwelling Commencement Trends for Livingstone Shire”, January
1998
Argo Consulting, “Population Trends for Livingstone Shire”, January 1998
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Household Expenditure Survey Summary of
Results, 1998-99”, Cat. No. 6530.0
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Queensland Year Book 1997”, Cat. No. 1301.3
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “1996 Census of Population and Housing”,
unpublished data
Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Statistics New Zealand,
“Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 1993 Edition”, ABS
Cat. No. 1292.0
Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Retailing in Queensland, 1991-92”, Cat. No.
8623.0
Bureau of Tourism Research, “National Visitor Survey”, 2000
Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation, unpublished data, 2001
Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, “Strategic Plan”,
Revised August 2000
CQ A New Millennium, “CQ A New Millennium Regional Growth management
Framework Policies Only (Draft)”, August 2001
CQ A New Millennium, “Infrastructure Technical Paper”, May 2001
CQ A New Millennium, “Economic Development Technical Paper”, May 2001
CQ A New Millennium, “Knowledge and Information Technical Paper”, May 2001
CQ A New Millennium, “Key Issues in Planning for Central Queensland’s Future
(Draft)”, August 2000
Livingstone Shire Council, “Livingstone for Lifestyle, Corporate Plan 2001/2006”
Livingstone Shire Council, “Living in…Livingstone, Statement of Proposals for a
new Planning Scheme for Livingstone Shire”, April 2001
Livingstone Shire Council, “IPA Planning Scheme Minutes of Policy Directions
Workshops”, 23 November and 14 December 2000
Planning and Information Forecasting Unit, Department of Local Government
and Planning, “Demographic and Housing Profile for Livingstone Shire and its
Localities 2001”, March 2001
Urban Strategies et al., “Livingstone Shire Industry/ Business Scoping Study”,
February 1998
Appendix A:
People Consulted
During the Course of
the Study
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix A
Appendix A: People Consulted During the
Course of the Study
The consultant team would like to acknowledge the contribution of local and
regional stakeholders who contributed their views and knowledge during the
course of the study. They are:
Business/ Industry Focus Group Members:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Frank Beckinsale, Developer
Col Carige, Tarangabah Estates Pty Ltd
Denise Christensen, Practical Development Consultants
John Christensen, Resident
Mick Cranny, Farmer/ Developer Yeppoon
Patrick Cranny, Investor
Bret Heath, Resident
Patricia Martin, Beaches Australia Real Estate, Emu Park
Tony McGregor, Keppel Bay Plaza
Susan McGregor, Resident
Graham Miller
Ian McMurtrie, Engineer
John Noller, Builder, Yeppoon
Joan Noller, Resident
Keith Ruskin, Emu Park Engineering
Ravi Setu, Lancehurst Pty Ltd
Glen Sherrat, Emu Park Motel
Roger Toole, Flexihire
Other Business/ Industry Representatives:
•
•
•
Bob Logan, Yeppoon Chamber of Commerce
John Major, Developer
Michael McGuinness, Rockhampton Enterprise Ltd
Livingstone Shire Councillors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cr. Mary Carroll
Cr. Brian Dorey
Cr. Bill Ludwig (Mayor)
Cr. Thomas Maguire
Cr. Jean McRuvie
Cr. Michael Prior
Cr. Desley Rial
Cr. John Smith
Cr. Maurice Webb
Page A-1
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix A
Yeppoon Developers’ Forum Attendees:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Les Brooks, AJ & MK Hoffman Pty Ltd, Surveyors
Geoff Cue, Development
Mick Cranny, Farmer/ Development
Patrick Cranny, Investor
Chris Dadson, Great Barrier Reef International Resort
Kevin Doolan, The Professionals, Emu Park
Charlie Finch, Surveying Consultant
Taku Hashimoto, Iwasaki Sanyo Co. Pty Ltd
Scott Kilpatrick, Affordable Quality Homes
Alf Klerkx, Consulting Surveyor
Mac Kuwarzuru, Iwasaki Sanyo Co. Pty Ltd
Dave Larkin, Mochaley Pty Ltd
Tony Madden, Tony Madden Architects
Peter Man, Elders Yeppoon
Noel Marriott, Bayview Realty
John Martin, Capricorn Adventist Retirement Village
Trevor McCubbin, QMBA
John Millroy, The Club Estate
Ralph Olive, Olive Estate
June Oliver, Karadale Nominees
Neil Roberts, Neil Roberts Architect Pty Ltd
Graham Scott, Graham Scott & Associates Engineers
Ravi Setu, Lancehurst Pty Ltd
Livingstone Shire Council Staff and Consultants:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
AJ Brown, CEO
Linda Hine, Development and Environment
Gary Murphy, Civil Operations
Kim Polkinghorne, Development and Environment
Melissa Simpson, Development and Environment
Maaret Sinnko, Argo Consulting
Danny Toon, Commercial Services
Other Government Agencies and Statutory Bodies:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mary Carroll, Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation
Brad Carter, Department of State Development, State Development Centre
Rockhampton
Chris Hewitt, Queensland Department of Main Roads, Rockhampton
Linda Minnery, Education Queensland
Liz Orupold, CQ A New Millennium
Ron Parker, Department of State Development, Brisbane
Kate Rose, Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils
Angus Russell, Department of State Development, State Development
Centre Rockhampton
Henry Scheuber, Queensland Rail, Rockhampton
Alison Taylor, Planning Information & Forecasting Unit (PIFU)
Sharon Waddell, Queensland Rail, Brisbane
Page A-2
Appendix B:
Consultation Feedback
Form and Associated
Information
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix B
Appendix B: Consultation Feedback Form
and Associated Information
During the course of this review, consultation was undertaken with local
industry stakeholders via the following means:
• Presentation and discussion at an Industry Focus Group meeting in
Yeppoon.
• Presentation to a Council-organised Developers’ Forum.
• Face-to-face consultation with business representatives.
• Face-to-face consultation with representatives of government agencies in the
region.
• Distribution of a phone/fax questionnaire to business representatives.
Copies of the consultation feedback forms used during the study are contained
herein.
Page B-1
Business/ Industry Scoping Study
for the Livingstone Shire
Focus Group Stakeholder
Feedback
Livingstone Shire
Council
Do you have any specific views or comments concerning opportunities for the
development of Business & Industry in the Livingstone Shire, in particular, the
considerations made in the consultants’ preliminary assessment of opportunities? (See
pages that follow for preliminary list of opportunities). Your insights will help us to
prioritise business and industry opportunities for the Livingstone Shire.
Alternatively, you may have other related matters/ issues that you wish to raise
concerning your particular area of interest. This will also assist us in making our final
recommendations to Council.
Please provide your comments below and fax this sheet back to the consultants, SGS
Economics and Planning on Facsimile 3358 4287 by Monday 26th November 2001.
Comments………….
(Please make further comments on separate sheet provided and attach to your fax if
necessary).
Would you like SGS to call you direct?
Yes
No
(Please indicate below)
If Yes, please briefly indicate issue(s) you wish to
discuss in the space provided
Page B-2
Comments………….
Page B-3
Preliminary Business & Industry Opportunities
Study Process and Status:
The long list of (broad) business and industry opportunities for the Livingstone Shire (as
shown on the following page) has been identified by the consultants. We are presently
giving more detailed consideration to these opportunities and specific activities within
each of these areas. This involves our assessment of the key requirements of identified
business/ industry activities (e.g. location, critical infrastructure, access to suppliers,
access to markets, etc.). It also requires our consideration of the capacity for
Livingstone’s economy and its business and industry nodes to accommodate such
activities. In doing this, we are giving due consideration to potential competition for
these activities from neighbouring areas (such as Rockhampton). We are also
considering any constraints and key issues associated with the industry nodes being
considered as part of the review.
As you may be aware, the three industry nodes that have been identified for the study
are defined as:
• Area A: the Pineapple Patch site at Bondoola
• Area B: the Taranganba/ Tanby Road site
• Area C: the Emu Park industrial area
Maps showing these areas are attached.
Any comments you have in relation to Livingstone Shire’s/ the Capricorn Coast’s
capacity to accommodate new and emerging industry opportunities are encouraged.
Any comments you have on existing business and industry issues and the key sites
being considered are also sought (e.g. location, access issues, critical infrastructure,
environmental issues, community issues, etc.).
Your comments should be faxed to SGS via the feedback form provided.
The (Preliminary)
Opportunities:
Identification
of
Business
and
Industry
Listed on the following page are the broad opportunities that have been identified for
future business and industry development in the Livingstone Shire. They reflect the
consultants’ research and analysis of local and regional socio-economic features and
trends, broader economic influences, our consultation and discussion with key
stakeholders. Examples of the sorts of specific activities being considered are provided
in brackets under each broad opportunity.
The opportunities are not listed in any order of priority.
Page B-4
Business and Industry Opportunities for Livingstone Shire:
Retail/ General Service Industry
(Personal/ household goods & services, automotive sales and repairs, marine sales and
repairs, equipment hire, printing and packaging, construction activities)
Tourism/ Recreation, Leisure & Entertainment
(Tourist Accommodation, sport and recreation facilities)
Professional Services, IT, Knowledge Based Industry
(Marketing, other business services, home based business activity, call centres,
technology parks)
Education, R&D
(Secondary, tertiary, other/ specialist education, business incubators)
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing & Repair
(Mining and Agricultural Machinery)
Specialist Services to Mining
(R&D, ore testing, exploration, mapping services)
Specialist Services to Agriculture
(R&D, field support services, management services)
Food Processing
(Fruit processing, food storage and transport)
Timber Processing
(Large-scale timber processing, small-scale and niche timber processing)
Page B-5
Study Background and Objectives
Background:
In 1997, Livingstone Shire Council commissioned the preparation of a
Business/Industry Scoping Study for the Livingstone Shire. Following its completion,
the study was amended in 1998.
It is the view of Livingstone Shire Council that a review of the Scoping Study is
necessary to reflect recent changes to the business and industry sectors in the Fitzroy
Region, and the intentions of Council’s new IPA Planning Scheme, as indicated in the
recently released Statement of Proposals.
Objectives:
In summary, the objectives of the review are:
Include discussion on:
Current trends in business activity in the region.
Industry opportunities to complement established sectors in the region.
Assess mix of business and industry best suited for the Capricorn Coast.
Review currency and adequacy of Study Areas A, B and C in the Business/ Industry
Scoping Study (trends, needs, issues, constraints).
Comment on:
Relocation of the business/industry node to Taranganba/Tanby Rd.
The requirements of the Emu Park and Yeppoon business and industry sectors.
All business and industry nodes (A, B and C) in terms of location and area
Page B-6
Appendix C:
Strategic Planning
Framework
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix C
Appendix C: Livingstone Shire’s Strategic
Planning Framework
Council’s Vision for Business and Industry
As noted in Section 1 of this review, the Business and Industry Scoping Study
responds to Livingstone Shire Council’s Mission Statement and its vision for the
economic development of the shire. Livingstone Shire Council’s Corporate Plan
2001/2006 states that Council’s goal for economic development is:
To stimulate economic growth and encourage investment in the shire, while
maintaining the lifestyle requirements and integrity of our community.
Essentially, this entails a desire to maintain Livingstone Shire’s high quality
natural environment and its lifestyle attributes, while accommodating a variety
of small, environmentally acceptable industries establishing in appropriate
locations in to the future.
The facilitation of business and industry development in the shire and in the
industrial nodes described in the Scoping Study (Areas A, B and C) should
reflect these objectives.
Land Use Planning Framework
Livingstone Shire Council is currently in the process of reviewing its Planning
Scheme. Consistent with the requirements of the Integrated Planning Act
(IPA), a Statement of Proposals for the new planning scheme has been
prepared.
The Statement of Proposals raises a number of issues and identifies a number of
opportunities concerning business and industry development. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The need for a resource of adequate serviceable land in Livingstone for the
future development of business and industry. Ribbon development along
major transport routes has the potential to deflect business from main
business centres and reduce amenity, noticeably at the entrance of towns.
The need for a diverse industry base to work with the existing industry and
business to encourage young, skilled career-oriented people to stay in the
shire.
Increase the depth of retail business to capture the loss of spending to other
areas outside the shire.
Ensure Yeppoon is the preferred location for office, retail and community
service developments.
Provide opportunities for technological development, industrial
innovation, emerging technologies and commercialisation of new products.
Provide readily serviced reserves of land in appropriate locations that will
attract preferred industries. It is suggested that consideration be given to
the possible relocation of the rail and bulk loading terminal outside the
Yeppoon CBD to allow for expansion to the north and CBD expansion.
Page C-1
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix C
•
•
Investigate options for mixed-use development and cluster activity.
Protect and enhance the function of rail and road networks. If possible,
integrate road and rail at an appropriate terminal. Protect the function of
rail infrastructure to meet the rural industry and freight demands.
Investigate a western transport corridor to relieve congestion from CBD
and Anzac Parade.
Page C-2
Appendix D:
Industrial Developments
and Prospects in
Central Queensland
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix D
Appendix D: Industrial Developments and
Prospects in Central Queensland
The Rockhampton Area
There has been significant expenditure and commitment to expenditure on
strategic infrastructure in the Rockhampton sub-region’s key sectors of
economic activity.
As evident from the following list of projects, Rockhampton is a major service
hub for industrial activity throughout the wider region, with much of the recent
and planned activity focussed on transport, warehousing and distribution,
education, R&D and community services. Substantial investments in major
metal product processing activities are also planned for the Rockhampton area.
Due to its proximity, these developments perhaps have the most significant
implications for business and industry development in the Shire of Livingstone.
Metal Product Manufacturing
•
•
The $1.2 million AMC Magnesium Metal Processing Plant at Stanwell (new
equity raising is currently under way following State and Federal
Government commitment).
$739 million Marlborough nickel mine and processing plant (not yet
committed).
Mining
•
•
•
•
Pieces Coal Project – North of Blackwater – Stanwell Corporation Ltd – EIS
process commenced.
Oaky North Coal Mine (MIM Holdings Limited Group)
Valeria Coal Deposit (Pacific Coal Pty Ltd)
Togara North Coal Mine (Dongbu Australia Pty Ltd)
Meat Processing
•
•
CMG Meatworks $25 million upgrade to increase output and value added
services (early stages complete).
Gracemere Saleyards Redevelopment – Gracemere Saleyards Board
(associated with, but not limited to, events facilities project, i.e. $18 million
Rockhampton City Events Facilities (not yet committed)).
•
•
•
$18.5 million expenditure in 1998–99 on major coal wagon upgrades at the
Rockhampton rail workshops;
Rail network improvements for freight traffic as part of the $250 million
up-grade to the line between Rockhampton and Townsville.
$1.7 million to complete development of the $23.3 million Queensland Rail
Workshop Centre of Excellence at Rockhampton.
Page D-1
•
•
Extensions to Rockhampton Airport at a cost of $7 million (completed to
current stage of development).
Melbourne to Darwin Inland Rail Feasibility Study.
Water
•
Lower Fitzroy Water Infrastructure Planning – Local Government Liaison
Committee (Livingstone, Fitzroy, Rockhampton and Mt Morgan) and the
Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
Health and Community Services
•
•
$26.2 million Rockhampton Base Hospital Upgrade (under construction).
$89 million new medium security prison north of Rockhampton
(completed).
Research, Education and Training
•
$11.4 million Central Queensland Institute of TAFE engineering technology
facility.
The Gladstone Area
Gladstone is a centre of heavy industrial activity in Central Queensland.
Industrial activities include aluminium smelting - Boyne Smelters Limited
operates a major smelter at Boyne Island in the Port of Gladstone. The smelter
produces 490,000 tonnes per annum. The world’s largest alumina refinery is
also located at the Port of Gladstone and it produces 3.5Mt per annum.
Chemicals processing is also strong in Gladstone. Orica Australia Pty Ltd
produces sodium cyanide and liquid cyanide for use in gold extraction, chlorine
for water treatment and nitric acid for the production of ammonium nitrate.
Ticor Chemical Company Pty Ltd also produces sodium cyanide and caustic
soda. Queensland Cement Limited produces over 1.6 million tonnes per annum
of clinker and cement from locally sourced limestone.
Current and planned projects in the Gladstone area that have a bearing on
business and industry prospects in the Shire of Livingstone include the
following.
Power Generation
•
•
•
Construction of two 420 megawatt coal fired generating units by Shell Coal
and CS Energy Limited at an estimated cost of $800 million (Callide “C” at
Biloela) (completed).
Construction of Callide pipeline to bring water from Awoonga Dam to the
Callide Power Station ($40 million to $45 million).
$2.4 billion (Australian component) PNG Gas Pipeline project, extending
from gas fields in Papua New Guinea to Gladstone (not yet committed).
Minerals Processing
Page D-2
•
•
Stages 2 and 3 of the Stuart Oil Shale project (not yet committed).
$240 million Queensland Nitrates ammonium nitrate plant (completed).
Metal Product Manufacturing
•
•
•
$1.4 billion proposed Comalco Alumina Refinery.
International Light Metals (Australia) Limited plans to construct a pilot
plant to produce small diameter billet in both aluminium and magnesium
alloys.
A planned Process Engineering and Light Metals Centre to be established
at Central Queensland University (under construction).
•
•
•
Construction of Fisherman’s Landing Wharf by the Gladstone Port
Authority ($75 million).
Development of a $35 million ammonia import terminal by Orica Pty Ltd at
the Fisherman’s Landing Wharf in Calliope Shire.
Connection to Brisbane and Rockhampton via the $160 million electric tilt
train service, which terminates at Gladstone (completed).
Water
•
•
•
The recently completed $34 million Raw Water Augmentation Project
including new pipelines.
Reservoirs and new pumps to bring water from the Awoonga Dam to
industry in Gladstone.
The Raising of the Awoonga Dam by the Gladstone Area Water Board
(under construction).
Other
•
Proposed Low Earth Orbit satellite launch facility (United Launch Systems
International).
The Emerald Area
Emerald’s economy is diverse, with operations in mining (coal and gemstones),
cotton, grains, cattle and citrus fruits.
The area serves a number of coal mines in the Bowen Basin, including the
Gregory, Crinum, Gordonstone and Ensham mines. Sapphire gemstones are
commercially mined in the region for sale in the domestic and overseas
markets. The industry also attracts a significant number of tourists each year.
Cotton is Emerald’s traditional mainstay industry based on large-scale
broadacre irrigated farming. However, in recent years, Emerald’s citrus fruit
growing industry has grown steadily, producing significant quantities of
mandarins, oranges, lemons and lime fruit for sale in the domestic and
Page D-3
international markets. Fresh fruit is exported via ship through Sydney and
Gladstone.
Projects either planned or under way in the Emerald area include those listed
below.
Horticulture
•
$40 million Evergreen Farms horticultural development at Emerald
(Century Pacific Productions).
Meat Processing
•
Emerald Saleyards upgrade $1.1 million (under construction).
The Mackay Area
Industrial activity in Mackay is characterised by the large-scale coal reserves of
the Bowen Basin and the extensive areas of shale oil and large reserves of
natural gas. There has been significant expenditure and commitment to
expenditure on infrastructure in the Mackay area in recent years, including the
following.
Mining
•
•
•
•
•
$400 million Clermont Coal deposits located in Belyando Shire.
The Goonyella Underground Coal Mine located in the Bowen Basin.
$400 million Hail Creek located in the Bowen Basin 85 kilometres west of
Mackay.
$30 million Poitrel Coal project located in Nebo Shire, 170 kilometres west
of Mackay.
A feasibility study has been completed for the Wards Well Coal Mine,
located in the Bowen Basin.
Mineral Processing
•
•
•
The Dawson Valley Coal seam Methane project located in the central and
southern Bowen Basin. This is a research project to determine how to
extract commercially viable methane gas from the coal reserves of the
Bowen Basin.
Stage 4 expansion of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal to provide for an
additional stacker/reclaimer and associated conveyors at a total cost of $25
million.
A possible $356 - $377 million expansion of the Dalrymple Bay Coal
Terminal (DBCT) (Stages 6 and 7) as part of the ongoing development of
the terminal.
Page D-4
•
•
•
Rail network improvements for freight traffic as part of the $250 million
up-grade to the line between Rockhampton and Townsville.
Development of the Mackay Port, including construction of a small craft
harbour at a cost of $16 million and a new $12 million sugar wharf.
$190 million Port of Airlie located at Airlie Beach.
Agricultural Research & Development
•
•
Allocation of $3.5 million over four years to establish the Centre for Dry
Tropics Agriculture in Bowen (with construction of the centre costing $2.1
million).
The Department of State Development has recently funded a study to
identify sites in the Bowen region suitable for aquaculture development.
Page D-5
Appendix E:
Retail Definitions
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix E
Appendix E: Retail Definitions
The following is a list of commonly accepted retail definitions that have been
used in this study.
Regional Centre
Regional centres provide (irregular) comparison shopping and weekly
shopping services. Generally over 50,000 square metres, but in some cases
exceed 100,000 square metres, regional centres include at least one, but often
more than one department store (e.g. Myer, David Jones) and a discount
department store(s) (e.g. Big W, Target, Kmart). They also include one or two
supermarkets such as Coles or Woolworths a range of specialty shops for
comparison shopping in fashion, jewellery, homewares, etc. Regional centres
often house government activities such as departmental offices or employment
services.
The trade or catchment area of a regional centre is usually in the range of
100,000 to 150,000 people, depending on location and proximity to competing
centres of a similar nature.
District Centre
District centres are smaller than regional centres (about 20,000 to 40,000 square
metres) providing a limited range of comparison shopping services and daily
and weekly retail items with a trade or catchment area of 25,000 to 60,000
people, depending on location and proximity to competing centres. They are
usually stand-alone centres based on a discount department store, one or two
supermarkets and a range of specialty shops.
Neighbourhood/ Local Centre
Neighbourhood centres cater for high frequency shopping trips based on
convenience needs for daily and weekly items. They usually have a small
supermarket (e.g. an IGA) and a few specialty shops such as a milk bar, video
hire store, baker, butcher, chemist and newsagent. Neighbourhood centres can
range in size typically up to 5,000 square metres with a trade catchment of
around 5,000 to 10,000 people.
Source: SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd, 2002
Page E-1
Appendix F:
Business/ Industry Study
Area Site Details
Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study – Appendix F
Appendix F: Business/ Industry Study Area
Site Details
The following tables contain details on the size, tenure, registered address and
registered plan for each individual lot within Areas A, B and C, which were
considered as part of this review.
Area A, Pineapple Patch
LotPlan
3RP618080
4RP618080
2RP616631
1RP614273
10RP899811
11RP899811
Tenure
FH
FH
FH
FH
FH
FH
Area_ha
139.5000
279.8000
0.9931
1.0000
10.84
4.047
House_No
0
2922
388
390
0
0
Street
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD
YEPPOON ROAD
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD
YEPPOON ROAD
YEPPOON ROAD
Post_Address
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD YEPPOON QLD
PO BOX 2 YEPPOON QLD
SVENSDEN ROAD EMU PARK QLD
Post_Code
4703
4703
4703
4703
4710
4703
Area B, Taranganba/ Tanby Road
LotPlan
15RP613832
8RP613832
2RP913095
Tenure
FH
FH
FH
Area_ha
10.5000
10.0400
300.7000
House_No
0
419
0
Street
TARANGANBA ROAD
TANBY ROAD
TARANGANBA ROAD
Post_Address
PO BOX 681 ROCKHAMPTON QLD
PO BOX 681 ROCKHAMPTON QLD
Post_Code
4700
4703
4700
Area C, Emu Park
LotPlan
32E1569
21E15615
30E15615
1E15615
11E15615
22E15615
29E15615
2E15615
9E15615
3E15615
Tenure
FH
FH
FH
FH
LL
FH
FH
FH
FH
FH
Area_ha
48.5620
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
0.8094
House_No
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Street
SHORT STREET
ELVEDEN STREET
AUGUSTUS STREET
AUGUSTUS STREET
HENRY STREET
ELVEDEN STREET
AUGUSTUS STREET
AUGUSTUS STREET
HENRY STREET
AUGUSTUS STREET
8E15615
3RP614584
74RP608652
FH
FH
FH
0.8094
13.4600
42.7200
0
3549
0
HENRY STREET
EMU PARK ROAD
EMU PARK ROAD
Post_Address
24 KELLOW STREET ROCKHAMPTON QLD
PO BOX 191 EMERALD QLD
27 FOUNTAIN STREET EMU PARK QLD
LOT 9 HENRY STREET EMU PARK QLD
KOOKABURRA 322 COOROOMAN CREEK
ROAD CAWARRAL QLD
C/- EMU PARK POST OFFICE EMU PARK QLD
PO BOX 8211 GLADSTONE SOUTH QLD
32 REEF STREET ZILZIE QLD
Source: Development and Environment Section, Livingstone Shire Council, 2002
Page F-1
Post_Code
4700
4703
4703
4703
4720
4703
4703
4710
4710
4702
4710
4680
4710

Review of the Business/ Industry Scoping Study for the Shire of

Transcription

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