Summary
- Bowen Basin resource industry population is the largest its been since 2012 peak construction.
- Mining is the predominant industry of employment especially in Central Highlands
- The non-resident population has contracted in the Central Highlands
- The majority of non-resident workers on shift still use worker accommodation villages
- In Banana Shire at June 2025, 575 persons/18% of non-resident workers were known to come from Rockhampton/Gladstone region (includes Livingstone). Decreased by 150 persons from June 2024
- In Central Highlands RC, non-resident workers – 1,770 persons/23% of non-resident workers were known to come from Rockhampton/Gladstone region, Increased by 80 persons from June 2024
https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/issues/3366/bowen-basin-population-report-2025.pdf
Additional information
Bowen Basin Population Report 2025
- Bowen Basin includes Banana Shire, Central Highlands Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Bowen only from the Whitsunday Regional Council
- As at June 2025, non-resident population of 24,745 and resident population of 83,740. Full time equivalent population was 108,485
- 2025 non-resident population highest recorded since peak construction in 2012
- Non-resident population grew by 4% 920 persons (2024-2025)
- By Local Government Area (LGA) – Isaac (16,605 persons, 67%), Central Highlands (5,460, 22%), Banana (2,010, 8%), Whitsundays (670, 3%)
- Non-resident population grew in Banana (65 persons, 3%) but contracted in Central Highlands (100, -2%)
- Majority of non-resident workers on shift were housed in Worker Accommodation Villages, increasing across the Bowin Basin by 1,625 in the year to June 2025, decreasing in other accommodation types; however, non-resident population in WAVs in Banana and Central Highlands decreased (by 175 persons and 220 persons respectively)
- WAV bed capacity totalled 31,725 bed, an increase of 1,850 beds, mainly in new WAVs for renewable energy project construction, CSG and coal workers.
- Non-resident population has been growing since 2021 driven largely by expanded activities at existing coal mines rather than construction.
- More than half (53%) of non-resident population was counted in towns (2,350 persons in Blackwater)
- Banana townships – 1,070 persons (down by 105 from previous year), rural areas – 940 (up by 170)
- Central Highlands townships – 3,890 (down by 330), rural areas – (down by 100)
Bowen Basin Resource Industry Workforce 2025
Resource industry workforce includes local residents who live and work in the same local government area and others who live elsewhere and fly in/fly out or drive in/drive out (FIFO/DIDO) to work.
- Resource industry workforce of 47,530 persons (24,745 non-resident, 22,785 resident)
- 47 operating coal mines
- Most resource industry workers were engaged in coal mining (44,580 persons)
- In the Bowen Basin, 6 in 10 were contractors, remainder were employees but in Central Highlands 5,775 persons/52%, Banana 2,020 persons/49%
- Central Highlands had 11,010 persons (10,910 coal mining, 100 other), Banana 4,150 persons (2,910 coal mining, 1,240 other)
- Place of residence was unknown for 25% of the workforce, mostly the contractors.
- Where place of residence was known –
- 26% lived and worked in the same LGA
- 37% lived in another Bowen Basin LGA
- 37% lived elsewhere in Queensland, Australia or overseas.
- 3,855 non-resident workers lived in the Rockhampton/Gladstone region which included the Livingstone Shire.
Banana Shire
- Three coal mines, two gas operations, one renewable energy project under construction, a metalliferous mine, a coal-fired power station.
- Dawson Mine, largest coal mine in LGA, engaged more than 1000 workers.
- Resource industry workforce of 4,150 in June 2025
- Place of residence known for 79% of the workforce with 39%/1,265 persons living in local towns.
- Non-resident workers – 575 persons/18% from Rockhampton/Gladstone region at June 2025 compared with 725 / 22% at June 2024
- 51% of workforce were employees
Central Highlands
- 12 coal mines, three gas operations
- Four largest coal mines account for more than 1000 workers each
- Resource industry workforce of 11,010
- Place of residence known for 71% 41% lived in local towns
- Non-resident workers – 1,770 persons/23% from Rockhampton/Gladstone region at June 2025, compared with 1,690 persons / 22%) at June 2024.
- 48% were employees, 52% contractors
