LGA list

Mackay

Mining is a major driver; the region is heavily reliant on mining, creating cyclical employment patterns correlated with commodity cycles. Combined economy with Isaac and Whitsunday; gross regional product close to $30bn (~6% of Queensland's economy). Over two million visitors and over $2bn visitor expenditure in 2023; 10% of Queensland agricultural production and 28% of Australia's sugarcane production; unemployment rate 3.9%; largest metallurgical coal deposits in Australia; Paget Industrial Estate described as the largest mining services industrial precinct in the southern hemisphere. METS base: estimated 700+ businesses; Paget ~40% of METS businesses; Mackay City ~12% with high share of technical consulting. Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget: training, innovation, demonstration; Stage 2 Future Industries Hub supported with Queensland Government funding.

Isaac

Part of Greater Whitsunday combined economy; gross regional product close to $30bn (~6% of Queensland's economy). Moranbah ~13% of METS businesses, emphasising proximity-dependent services (equipment hire and mine-site services). Mining-driven; cyclical employment; post-mining land use and circular economy relevance.

Whitsunday

Part of Greater Whitsunday combined economy. Bowen Orbital Spaceport: licensing noted; one of only three dedicated orbital launch sites globally. Over two million visitors and over $2bn visitor expenditure in 2023.

Aurukun

Balonne

Banana

Barcaldine

Barcoo

Blackall-Tambo

Boulia

Brisbane

Bulloo

Bundaberg

Burdekin

Burke

Cairns

Carpentaria

Cassowary Coast

Central Highlands

Charters Towers

Cherbourg

Cloncurry

Cook

Croydon