Mackay Whitsunday

Over the past decade, the Mackay Whitsunday region has experienced unprecedented economic growth which has been predominantly fuelled by global demand for resources. Expanding capability in servicing and value-added processing has driven specialisation in mining services and engineering. A growing marine industry servicing boats and yachts has developed, stimulated by the region's premium marine location. The region also boasts strong agricultural potential, from diversification and food processing to the use of fibre to produce renewable fuels and bio-commodities. 

The region has identified mining services and technologies and marine services as the two sectoral areas for initial development under the Centres of Enterprise initiative.

Centres of Enterprise target sectors

Mining services and technologies

The Mackay Whitsunday region has an extensive manufacturing and mining services industry, providing world-class services, predominately to the coal mining industry. The region's companies offer expertise in a broad range of technology solutions, and support the industry through all stages of the mining process from exploration to mine site rehabilitation. Through growth and resilience building, the region is well placed to capture the increasing world demand for innovation, technologies and services.

Mackay Whitsunday Centres of Enterprise Mining Services Industry Action Plan

Marine services

As gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and internationally recognised cruising grounds of the Whitsundays, the region is a strategic location for marine industry development. Mackay has established a substantial engineering capability through providing a service base for the coal industry in Queensland, with strong potential to translate this expertise into marine engineering and services. By drawing on these strengths, there is opportunity to establish the region as a world-class marine tourism and maintenance centre.

Mackay Whitsunday Centres of Enterprise Marine Services Industry Action Plan

Further information on mining technologies and services and the marine sector can be found on the Department's key industries pages