Regional Development Australia - Central and Western Queensland

29/05/2026

🚀 The new Capricorn Business Hub will provide practical, tailored support for Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast small businesses helping start-ups and existing operators grow, connect and build resilience.

💼 Through mentoring, workshops, networking and business development support, the Hub will help strengthen local jobs, supply chains and future economic opportunities across the region.
For more information: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/

25/05/2026

🏥 Record numbers are walking in at Gladstone’s Nurse-led Clinic

The Gladstone Nurse-led Walk-in Clinic is making it easier for locals to access care, following expanded opening hours supported by the Crisafulli Government.

🕖 The clinic is now open 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm, treating minor illnesses and injuries such as cuts, coughs, colds and other non-emergency health concerns.

📈 In March and April 2026, the clinic recorded 3,423 patient presentations, up from 2,086 during the same period last year.

💰 The expanded hours have been made possible through an almost $1 million funding boost, helping to ease pressure on Gladstone Hospital’s Emergency Department, which saw almost 300 fewer presentations following the clinic’s expansion.

✅ Together with the new transit lounge at Gladstone Hospital, the clinic is supporting better access to care, improving patient flow and helping reduce demand on local emergency services.
For more information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105141

25/05/2026

Primary producers impacted by the Western Queensland Floods in early 2025 can apply for up to $500,000 to rebuild damaged or destroyed fences and help protect livestock.

Eligible graziers in RAPAD Local Government Areas can apply:
✅ Barcaldine Regional Council
✅ Barcoo Shire Council
✅ Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
✅ Boulia Shire Council
✅ Diamantina Shire Council
✅ Longreach Regional Council
✅ Winton Shire Council

Applications close 30 June 2026.

Grants are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through the Disaster Recovery
Funding Arrangements.

For more information and to check eligibility, contact our Exclusion Fencing Recovery Program officers Emily and Lenice, visit: www.rapad.com.au/projects/exclusion-fencing-recovery-program

For producers in the South West Queensland shires of Balonne, Bulloo, Murweh, Paroo and Quilpie visit: https://quilpie.qld.gov.au/quilpie-services/exclusion-fencing-recovery-grants/

25/05/2026

📣 You’re invited to the Annual General Meeting of Outback Festival Inc.

📅 Sunday 7 June 2026
📍 Waltzing Matilda Centre Reading Room, Winton
⏰ Commencing at 9.30am

As we look ahead to celebrating the 2027 Outback Festival, we’re excited to welcome new members.

For more information contact 📧 [email protected]

25/05/2026

🏆 Cloncurry Shire Council has taken out a national Liveable Communities Award at the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards 🎉

The town was recognised for its year-round calendar of free community events… with judges praising the way Cloncurry uses events to build connection, inclusion and community spirit in a remote part of Australia 🌄

Mayor Greg Campbell said the award reflected just how much is happening across the shire each year.

“There’s always something to do in Cloncurry… often no charge and always inclusive for everyone,” he said.

“The best way to keep that connection is at social events where people can just come along, get together and really showcase what it means to be a Cloncurry person.”

What do you think helps make a town liveable? 👇

📻 Listen to ABC North West QLD: https://ab.co/3mRJWAn
📝 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here, by selecting ABC North West Queensland: https://ab.co/3LuMEr3

18/05/2026

🚧 Federal Budget Investment Supporting Regional Growth

The Australian Government’s 2026–27 Federal Budget includes major investment in infrastructure, transport and regional development, with a focus on connectivity, freight resilience, housing-enabling infrastructure and regional growth.

Key measures include:
✅ $10.3 billion for transport infrastructure projects
✅ $500 million expansion of the Active Transport Fund
✅ $1.75 billion to strengthen Australia’s freight rail network
✅ $750 million for new round of the Growing Regions Program and Thriving Suburbs programs
✅ $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund, including $500 million for regional Australia

For Queensland, continued investment in the Bruce Highway, Black Spot safety upgrades and regional road improvements will support safer roads, stronger supply chains and more connected communities. These investments will help strengthen regional economies, improve liveability and support long-term growth across Queensland and regional Australia. 🇦🇺

For More Information:
https://comms.rdabrisbane.org.au/ch/55835/206q8/2894270/MRLyzwxeZ_B1kwjtST.5J3y6RIRkDxL4L5flQagW.html

18/05/2026

🚧 Black Spot Funding for Rockhampton Region Roads

Three road black spots across the Rockhampton region will receive $3.5 million in funding through the 2025–26 Black Spot Program, supporting safer and more reliable travel for local road users.

The funded locations include:

📍 Denham Street Extended, West Rockhampton
📍 Razorback Road, Moongan
📍 Intersection of Dean and Elphinstone Streets, Berserker

The upgrade to Razorback Road is particularly significant, with strong linkages to the Heritage Minerals Project at Mount Morgan, which is recognised as a priority project for Rockhampton Regional Council.

These improvements will help address known safety concerns, support regional connectivity and contribute to future economic opportunities across the region.

For more information: https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/AboutCouncil/News-and-announcements/Latest-News/Black-spot-works-improving-three-Rocky-roads

Black spots on three roads in the Rockhampton region are being improved thanks to more than $3.5 million in funding.

14/05/2026

12/05/2026

Start your morning with coffee, connection, and community! ☕

Join us for our upcoming Coffee Catch Up + Small Business Month Celebrations, proudly hosted by Gladstone Regional Council

This relaxed networking event is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow local business owners, professionals, and community members while building meaningful connections within the Gladstone business community.

📅 21 May 2026
⏰ 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
📍 Lightbox, 56 Goondoon St, Gladstone Central QLD

✨ GCCI Members receive 2 FREE tickets

🎟 Grab yours here: https://gcci.wavecrm.com.au/event/01KG0YQVY9QCPQCG14MB3ZGD7T

Whether you’re looking to grow your network, explore collaboration opportunities, or simply enjoy a friendly morning catch-up over great coffee — we’d love to see you there.

Plus, following the Coffee Catch Up, you can take the next step in your business journey with the Mentoring for Growth program.

Register for a free and confidential 1-hour mentoring session with experienced business experts to help you:

✔ Navigate business challenges
✔ Explore growth opportunities
✔ Strengthen business processes
✔ Gain practical guidance tailored to your business

We'll see you there! 💚

08/05/2026

🐂 Countdown is on for Beef2027 in Rockhampton 🎉

The Crisafulli Government is ramping up support for Beef2027 with a record $4.5 million investment to help showcase Queensland’s world-class beef industry to the globe.

📍 Held in Rockhampton, Beef2027 is the largest beef industry event in the Southern Hemisphere, with the countdown now officially underway as the event approaches in less than 12 months.

🌏 Queensland’s beef industry continues to play a major role in the State’s economy:
• Home to almost half of Australia’s cattle herd
• Worth more than $6 billion in 2024–25
• Exported to more than 100 countries worldwide

The investment forms part of the Government’s plan to grow Queensland primary industries production to $30 billion by 2030, supporting regional communities, family businesses and export opportunities.

🗣️ Tony Perrett said the funding commitment delivers on a promise to back Queensland beef producers and strengthen the communities that rely on the industry.

🐄 Beef2027 is expected to once again bring together producers, exporters, innovators and visitors from across Australia and around the world cementing Central Queensland’s reputation as the heart of the nation’s beef industry.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105037