The Central Queensland Region of Councils covers the main centres of Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Emerald, Gladstone, Biloela and Woorabinda and is a region renowned as a key resource, industrial and agricultural hub.

Within its boundaries are  world-ranked producers and exporters of black coal and two of the world’s largest alumina refineries; Australian’s largest aluminium smelter; Australia’s largest cement plant; three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant projects; and the state’s largest multi-commodity shipping port in Gladstone – which produces 40% of Queensland’s export earnings.

Queensland’s largest power station is located in Gladstone with additional electricity capacity produced at Stanwell Power Station, west of Rockhampton, and Callide Power Station at Biloela. Their combined output contributes 40% of the state’s power generation.

Rockhampton is the service centre for the region and known as the ‘Beef Capital’ of Australia with three abattoirs in the region. One of the world’s largest magnesia plants is located to the north of Rockhampton.

Banana Shire is also home to the Biloela meatworks, which is the third largest in Queensland.

The region’s major agricultural production occurs in the Banana Shire and Central Highlands Regional Council areas with lucerne and cotton the key products.

The Central Highlands, part of the larger region known as the ‘Bowen Basin’, is home to numerous coal mines due to the rich mineral deposits in the area.

Coal is extracted from the mines and transported to port facilities at Port of Gladstone via the Blackwater railway system or to both Hay Point in Mackay and Abbot Point north of Bowen via the Goonyella railway line.

The coastal hubs of this region provide the gateway to the southern Great Barrier Reef and several Islands including: Great Keppel Island, off the Capricorn Coast; and Heron Island, Wilson Island and Lady Musgrave Island off the Gladstone and Discovery Coasts.

National Parks, beaches, dams and waterways throughout the region provide residents with an enviable outdoor lifestyle for camping, fishing and all watersports.

The Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire is located 170km south-west of Rockhampton and is the situated on the traditional lands of the Wadja Wadja/Yungulu Aboriginal people. There are approximately 52 clans represented in Woorabinda.