Priority 4: Building a strong regional Queensland
Key areas of action
- Unlock new opportunities in regions
- Leverage place-based knowledge and regional insight
- Equip regions to grow, adapt and capture long-term benefits
A thriving critical minerals sector presents a significant opportunity to create lasting economic benefits for our regional and rural communities. Regional and rural communities are home to the resources, workforce, supporting businesses and infrastructure that underpin a thriving critical minerals sector, and are well placed to capture the benefits of growing global demand.
Alongside resource development, opportunities exist to grow local businesses, attract new investment and drive growth in processing, refining, manufacturing, and mining equipment, technology and services capabilities.
Realising this opportunity will require a strong partnership approach that recognises the value of place-based knowledge and lived experience in our regions. The Queensland Government will work closely with regional communities, local governments and industry to ensure development is informed by local priorities and reflects the unique strengths and aspirations of each region.
Capturing the full economic benefits of sector growth will require regions to have the workforce capability, infrastructure and supply chains needed to support investment and development. A strong and skilled workforce, supported through initiatives such as the Queensland Resources Workforce Plan, together with reliable transport, energy and water infrastructure, will be critical enablers of growth. In particular, efficient freight connectivity will help unlock regional development opportunities by linking regional mining activities with refining and processing facilities, and domestic and international markets through strategic infrastructure investments in the Mount Isa Line.
Place-based social, environmental and groundwater baseline studies in Critical Minerals Zones, alongside surface water studies, further strengthen the evidence base for regional planning and investment, helping communities, industry and government identify opportunities and support sustainable development outcomes.
The groundwater baseline studies will complement surface water considerations as part of the Gulf Water Plan Review.
By seizing this generational opportunity, Queensland will redefine the role of our regional and rural communities in the state, national and global economy. A thriving critical minerals sector will not only create jobs and attract investment but also enhance the resilience, prosperity, and liveability of our regions.
Read our Spotlight to find out how we are supporting Mount Isa's transition and future growth of the region.
Priority 4 actions
| Actions | Priority areas |
|---|---|
| Critical Minerals Queensland to provide a dedicated gateway to coordinate industry development and government action | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Invest in enabling common user infrastructure that supports mining projects, industry capability and value-adding of raw products | 1, 2, 4 |
| Prioritise and sequence investment in the Mount Isa Line to improve freight network reliability, travel times, access and resilience | 4 |
| Deliver the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund | 2, 3, 4 |
| Deliver the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants program | 2, 4 |
| Conduct the Mount Isa Transformation Study to optimise the copper value chain across North West Queensland | 4 |
| Recommercialise former mines to unlock resource potential | 1, 4 |
| Operate and expand the capability of the Queensland Resources Common User Facility in Townsville | 1, 2, 4 |
| Increase capacity and expertise at the Mackay Resources Centre of Excellence | 2, 4 |
| Deliver place-based initiatives aligned to regional industry needs and opportunities through Queensland’s Critical Minerals Zones (including Julia Creek/Richmond and Mt Isa/Cloncurry) | 4 |
| Deliver the Queensland Resources Workforce Plan | 4 |
- Last updated
- 29 July 2026
- Last reviewed
- 28 July 2026