Gladstone Region
GLADSTONE REGION
From Kroombit Tops in the west to the coral lagoons of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the Gladstone Region’s landscape is as varied as its capacity for economic development. The region has a population of about 63,000 people and covers 10,500 square kilometres. It has a strong record of job creation and investment opportunities, with relaxed living, recreational and tourism options enhancing its appeal and potential for future growth.
In recent decades, the economy has been built around heavy industry with access to a deepwater harbour for export trade.
The region has two of the world’s largest alumina refineries, the Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry on nearby Curtis Island.
After a period of economic slowdown and the world-wide pandemic, it is now looking to recover and revive its communities for a brighter future.
Industry, along with an engaged community, will be at the centre of this revival. Several renewable energy projects embracing hydrogen, biofuels, solar energy and new waste management practices have been proposed for the Gladstone State Development Area.
Their go-ahead would position the city of Gladstone as a renewable energy hub, taking the economy in an exciting, new direction.
Away from industry, the Gladstone Region features plenty of green open space, including the nationally recognised Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens, award-winning playgrounds, and other coastal locations where sailing and boating activities are popular. Residents and visitors can see historical sites, go bush walking, mountain climbing or snorkel the reef to experience the outdoor environment.
The region’s strength is a great sense of community with a ‘can do’ attitude. This, combined with well-developed infrastructure and services, supports our local communities to thrive.
The Gladstone Region encompasses the cosmopolitan city of Gladstone, coastal communities of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands, Turkey Beach, Agnes Water and the township of Seventeen Seventy; and several key semi-rural townships, including Calliope, Mount Larcom and Miriam Vale.
Home to several beaches, islands, rivers and other waterways, the region is known for its fishing and crabbing with sensational spots, such as Lake Awoonga, the Boyne and Calliope Rivers, and Curtis and Facing Islands in the Gladstone Harbour.
The Gladstone Region provides a plethora of places to fish all year round for the novice, fishing enthusiast or professional angler.
Some locals believe Gladstone is one of the best places to fish in Australia. Locals and visitors alike rave about the many types of fish on offer and the accessibility of fishing spots.
The waters in and around Gladstone are a transitional zone where the warm waters of the tropical north meet the cool of the south. This means the area is a virtual seafood smorgasbord with the best species of the Region taking centre stage.
Campers, boaties and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with national parks, islands, beaches, bush sites and water ways to discover and enjoy. Those waterways also provide plenty of opportunities for skiing, kayaking, rowing, outrigging, sailing and surfing.
Further inland, the Boyne Valley showcases some of the region’s first settlements which date back to the 1870s when gold and copper put the Valley on the map. The Boyne Valley includes the small communities of Nagoorin, Ubobo and Builyan, all of which are dotted along the Boyne River, and Many Peaks.
Subsequent settlers pioneered industries such as cattle grazing, farm produce, dairying, and a thriving timber and saw milling industry, which still exist today.
The Boyne Valley also boasts the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail, a unique recreational and visitor economy opportunity spanning across two regional council areas in Central Queensland. The trail is designed to attract active families, avid hikers, rail trail and adventure enthusiasts to experience the scenic landscapes and historic rail heritage of the Gladstone and North Burnett regions.
Climate
The Gladstone Region boasts an ideal tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from a moderate 18-20 degrees Celsius in winter and up to 27-29 degrees Celsius in summer, and an average annual rainfall of 967mm.
Population
The Gladstone Region provides the population of approximately 65,000 people, 28,000 residential dwellings and an average household size of 2.65 people. The median resident age is 35 years, 14 per cent of the population are born overseas. With the rapid industrial expansion and increased employment opportunities in recent years, the region has attracted many new residents from around Australia and overseas. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has projected the region’s population will almost double by 2036.
Education
The Gladstone Region offers all levels of education from kindergarten through to tertiary education.
A range of state and private schooling options are available. There are 29 early childhood services, including 33 public and private schools and the Gladstone Campus of CQUniversity at the scenic Gladstone Marina.
The region has a strong focus on apprenticeships and traineeships and is home to a range of training and skilling programs for secondary students, including the Education Queensland Industry Partnership (EQIP) Technical College Gladstone Region. These offer students authentic work-place learning combined with school education in areas of industry, services, trades and hospitality. Additionally, several schools offer a range of ‘excellence’ programs in all areas of academia – technology, sports and the arts.
Employment
It is estimated that 25,000 people work in the Gladstone Region. Two-thirds of the population is engaged in full-time employment, over one fifth in part-time employment while 4.5% are unemployed. Statistics show an unemployment rate of 3.5% in September 2014, down from 9.9% in 2000; 5.2% in 2011; and 4.9% in 2013.
With two of the world’s largest alumina refineries, Queensland’s largest multi commodity port and a number of other major industrial giants sited locally, the Gladstone Region is known for its employment opportunities and skilled workforce. The Gladstone State Development Area continues to attract large industry to the Region, including the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry. A strong retail and service sector within the modern urbanised city of Gladstone, together with tourism and primary production (particularly beef cattle and timber), provide abundant choice for workers and opportunities for business people. The MEDIAN personal weekly income is $689; family income $1941 and household income $1742.
Industry | Jobs |
Manufacturing | 4,520 |
Construction | 3,152 |
Retail Trade | 2,319 |
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 1,898 |
Transport, Postal & Warehousing | 1,860 |
Education & Training | 1,679 |
Health Care & Social Assistance | 1,595 |
Accommodation & Food Services | 1,482 |
Public Administration & Safety | 1,302 |
Other Services | 838 |
Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services | 657 |
Mining | 649 |
Wholesale Trade | 638 |
Administrative & Support Services | 540 |
Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services | 489 |
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing | 368 |
Financial & Insurance Services | 283 |
Arts & Recreation Services | 112 |
Information Media & Telecommunications | 84 |
Total | 24,267 |
Economy
Industry | Gladstone | Australia |
Manufacturing | $4,321.172 | $173,195.243 M |
Construction | $795.740 M | $24,952.219 M |
Mining | $480.296 M | $179,932.470 M |
Transport, Postal & Warehousing | $372.026 M | $32,713.280 M |
Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services | $330.951 M | $7,312.516 M |
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $65.844 M | $6,750.447 M |
Accommodation & Food Services | $62.604 M | $11,792.148 M |
Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services | $54.638 M | $2,858.443 M |
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing | $41.474 M | $8,568.549 M |
Wholesale Trade | $19.917 M | $15,746.569 M |
Education & Training | $17.608 M | $8,939.978 M |
Other Services | $13.856 M | $209.014 M |
Retail Trade | $7.489 M | $3,564.124 M |
Administrative & support services | $3.503 M | $3,776.354 M |
Health Care & Social Assistance | $2.598 M | $609.402 M |
Information Media & Telecommunications | $1.418 M | $6,222.613 M |
Financial & Insurance Services | $1.393 M | $6,762.620 M |
Arts & recreation services | $0.664 M | $1,202.990 M |
Public Administration & Safety | $0.331 M | $615.127 M |
Total | $6,593.523 M | $495,724.104 M |
Major industry in Gladstone is supported by the Region’s thriving and world-class engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors. The traditional agricultural base in cattle, farming and horticultural production contributes $78.9 million annually and continues to underpin the Region’s economic base. The tourism sector generates over $266 million annually and the value of regional exports generated by the Gladstone economy is estimated at $6.594 billion.
Gross Regional Product
Gladstone’s Gross Regional Product is estimated at $4.350 billion.
Definition: GRP is the net measure of wealth generated by the region.
Source: Latest REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS)
June 2014 Gross State Product, 2009 / 2010 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment Data
GRP Expenditure Method | Gladstone |
Household Consumption | $2,304.866 M |
Government Consumption | $726.157 M |
Private Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure | $847.951 M |
Public Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure | $248.301 M |
Gross Regional Expenses | $4,127.275 M |
plus Regional Exports | $6,691.428 M |
minus Domestic Imports | -$5,477.265 M |
minus Overseas Imports | -$991.756 M |
GRP | $4,349.682 M |
Population | 57,892 |
Per Capita GRP | $75,134 |
Per Worker GRP | $179,243 |
Transport
Private transport is the primary mode of transport in the Gladstone Region. The region is also serviced by a modern airport in Gladstone with reputable carriers, taxi services, train and bus services. Bus and ferry transport are provided to industry and construction workers needing to access operational sites and key projects. Private ferry and boat services cater to residents and visitors needing access to local island communities and tourist destinations. A range of hire car companies are also available.
Health Services and Aged Care
The Gladstone Region is serviced by a recently upgraded public hospital and the multi-disciplined Gladstone GP Super Clinic. There is a range of medical centres and visiting medical specialists. The region is also well serviced by dentists, orthodontists and allied health professionals. Queensland Community Health offers several services including child health and mental health care. There are nine aged care facilities throughout the region and several retirement villages. Organisations such as Blue Care, OzCare and Anglicare also provide a range of health support services.
Emergency Services
There are nine police stations, six ambulance stations and five fire stations throughout the region, and several rural fire brigade services.
Events
The Gladstone Region is a striking juxtaposition of industry and world heritage natural environment, creating a unique culture and event stage unlike anywhere else. The largest annual community events include Easter in Gladstone which boasts the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and Harbour Festival, Luminous, Ecofest, Agnes Water Blues and Roots Festival, the Caption Cook 1770 Festival and the Gladstone and Mount Larcom Shows.
The region also hosts one of the biggest family fishing competition each year, The Boyne Tannum Hook-Up, which attracts more than 3000 entries from around the country.
Major industries also stage various community events including family fun days and informative tours.
Art exhibitions, eisteddfods, professional rodeos, concerts, theatre, sporting competitions, charity fundraisers, markets, conferences and industry and business events are also on offer.
Gladstone Regional Council has developed a Regional Events Strategy to further strengthen the Gladstone Region’s profile and position as a nationally recognised event destination.
