1st July 2025 marked the 15th Anniversary of Capricorn Tourism and Economic Development Ltd (trading as Capricorn Enterprise).
When Capricorn Enterprise was formed on the 1st July 2010, a collaborative list of Regional Priority Projects was agreed upon between the then amalgamated Rockhampton Regional Council (RRC), CQUniversity and major industry and business partners. As major public and private sector developments were achieved over time and the Livingstone Shire (Capricorn Coast) Council separated from RRC in January 2014, the Regional Priority Projects list was updated to better reflect the needs of the two LGA areas, while retaining our strong regional focus.
On behalf of our business and industry partners, Capricorn Enterprise has consistently and collaboratively advocated for these Regional Priority Projects alongside our elected Local, State and Federal representatives over the past 15 years.
Our Regional Priority Projects: click image to download PDF
Nb: This is not an exhaustive list of all public and private development investments and new experiences within this time period.
7 REGIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS 2010 – 2013
| Priority Project | Completion |
| Critical Road, Rail, Air & Port Infrastructure (Fitzroy River floods – Feb/Mar 2010 – 5.30m, Dec 2010/Jan 2011 – 9.20m, Feb/Mar 2012 – 7.10m, Jan/Feb 2013 – 8.61m) | Legislated in 2012 –Ten year $8.6B Bruce Hwy Action Plan (Fed & State govts) –included $170M YeppenSouth Project (including 1.6km bridge crossing) completed in 2015. Capricorn Enterprise joint CQUniversity submission entitled “Assessing the regional economic impacts of flood interruption to transport corridors in Rockhampton” was presented and utilized by Federal & State Government and Opposition to help secure funding for the Yeppen South Project. Note: Fitzroy River flood in March/April 2017 of 8.80m was the first time the Yeppen crossing was seen in action –a magnificent piece of infrastructure |
| CQUniversity and TAFE Partnership to up skill Central Queensland and form Queensland’s first dual sector university | Dec 2012 Federal govt. approval of CQUniversity dual sector, May 2013 State govt. approval. Officially commencing 1st July 2014, celebrating its 10 year Anniversary in July 2024 as Qld’s first dual sector university. CQUniversity is Australia’s largest regional University Stage two TAFE Centre of Excellence at CQUniversity northside campus – State govt. funding announced 2025 |
| Rockhampton Riverfront redevelopment including Convention & Sporting Precincts | 2015/16 $15M State funds, $8.5M Federal, $8.5M RRC –Rockhampton Riverfront redevelopment (total $36m with RRC paying an additional $4M plus for final and ongoing project cost) – completed in March 2018. |
| Great Keppel Island and Coastal foreshore revitalisation | Great Keppel Island Resort – Tower Holdings development – after 6 years, 90 consultants, $10 Million and 3 plans, approval was received by State govt, Fed govt. approval in March 2013. (Tower Holdings leases subsequently revoked by State government in April 2023) Yeppoon Foreshore Redevelopment – 2015/16 -$29Million State funds, $10M Federal funds, $14M LSC – Total $53 Million – completed in May 2018. |
| Industrial land and associated infrastructure | Gracemere Overpass – $50M State fundingannounced end 2011, commenced Feb 2012, completed Sep 2013. Gracemere Industry Park “The BIG G” – Stage 1 opened August 2015 (developed by The Gibb Group). The Gibb Group went on to develop Homemaker Centre Yeppoon Stage 1 which was opened in February 2020. |
| CQ NRL Bid Success – securing the region’s first NRL team | Mr. Geoff Murphy championed the CQNRL Bid in an effort to obtain a license in the National Rugby League competition. Geoff dedicated years of leading this bid, investing $4 Million of his own funds, but unfortunately it was not successful. Geoff was Chairman of Beef Australia from 2003 to 2012, a volunteer Director of Capricorn Enterprise from August 2013 to September 2018, and sadly passed away in December 2023. |
| Support Major Regional Events (ongoing) | When Federal funding of $2.4M was under threat for Beef Australia 2015, Capricorn Enterprise successfully advocated alongside the Federal Member of Capricornia for its continuation. Funding has subsequently increased with Beef Australia 2027 receiving a commitment of $12 Million from the Australian government. |
8 REGIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS 2014 – 2020
| Priority Project | Completion |
| Multi Use Centre –Convention Centre & Stadium Facilities Option 1: Major facility co-locating a convention centre & multi sports centre Option 2 –A Staged facility Option 3 –Stand alone Convention Centre in Rockhampton and/or Yeppoon) | Keppel Bay Convention Centre & Sporting Hub, Yeppoon -$20M Federal funds secured in April prior to the 2019 Federal election – collaboration between the KBSC, Capricorn Enterprise and the Federal Member for Capricornia – original design scaled down –opened December 2024 14th Sept 2020 – Rockhampton Sports Club stadium –- $23 Million federal funds announced, following a $250,000 federally funded feasibility study by Populus in 2013/14 which reviewed 10 sites across the region, recommending this site. June 2025 – local and state govt. approvals now finalised with an extension of contract with Federal govt. underway 23rd Sept 2020 (one week later)- Rockhampton Leagues Club – Browne Park redevelopment – $25 Million State funds announced. March 2023 – state funds increased to $54 Million – planned completion of June 2025 delayed and scaled down to 3,500 seats. |
| Increase representation of State and Federal government agencies in the Rockhampton region | While both state and federal government presence has grown, particularly in areas like education and health and regional development, the “decentralisation” intent of this Regional Priority Project has not been realised. |
| Growing Central Queensland Phase 1 –Rookwood Weir, Fitzroy River Phase 2 – Agricultural Infrastructure to support the water infrastructure | Rookwood Weir – $130M federal funding was first announced by the PM in May 2016, followed by matching $130M state funding commitment. Re-confirmed by Prime Minister in April 2018 2020 McCosker contractors/Lend Lease JV announced. That grant was increased to $176 Million by each in April 2018. In March 2021 an additional $7.5 Million from both to unlock 10,000 additional megaliters. Final contribution $367 Million each with balance by Sunwater. Final cost $568.9 Million with construction completed in Nov 2023 and 86,000 Meg of water available annually. |
| Upgrade Rockhampton Regional Airport Stage 1 –Freight Handling Stage 2 –Increased Military Presence (hard stand/facilities) Stage 3 –Dedicated facilities for international capability (quarantine/customs) | Total $7.1 M runway lighting – 2015 Total $12.6 M tarmac upgrade – 2017 The Airport is owned and operated by the Rockhampton Regional Council. Significant funds from the Federal government have been provided over the years with continued investment made. Alliance Airlines – $60 Million aviation maintenance facility – $25 Million Federal funds announced May 2021. Officially opened November 2023. |
| Healthy communities – Allied clinic stage three at CQUniversityAged Care Resort facilities | Supporting Medical Pathways and Allied Health at CQUniversity – CQU Allied Health Stage 2 Rockhampton campus – opened July 2015 New Health Sciences Academy for Rockhampton CQU Canning street campus (students Yrs 10-12) Rockhampton – $95 Million announced October 2024, Funding officially confirmed – Federal govt. March 2025 and State govt. June 2025. Department of Education – July 2025 Federal and State govt. Ministerial statement – March 2025 State government statement – July 2025 Supporting Fitzroy Community Hospice which opened in June 2024 (Capricorn Enterprise presented a donation of $6,000 at the Best in Business Awards 2024) 4. Supporting CQShines Foundation (Capricorn Enterprise presented a donation of $6,000 at the Best in Business Awards 2024) 5. Aged Care Resort facilities |
| Implementation of the Capricorn Destination Tourism Plan 2014-2020 | Key private sector investments are outlined in this plan including: Quest Rockhampton – opened September 2013Oshen Yeppoon – opened April 2014Great Keppel Island Hideaway – new owners since July 2014Empire Apartment Hotel – opened January 2015Kortes Resort (now Quality Resort Parkhurst) – opened 2015Salt Yeppoon – opened February 2016 To meet current and future demand by 2032, our region requires 1,219 additional short stay accommodation rooms and 8,228 additional monthly airline seats. Additional information is outlined in our Capricorn Destination Tourism Plan 2024 – 2032 |
| Implementation of the Northern Australia Alliance Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton Region to be recognized as the eastern gateway to Northern Australia | The inclusion of the Rockhampton/Capricorn Coast and Gladstone regions in the federal government’s “Northern Australia” legislative funding footprint was due to our Organisation’s successful joint submission co-authored with CQUniversity, signed by nearly 30 local government authorities, Chambers and advocacy groups across Central Queensland. Achieved 2014. |
| Focussing on the Digital Economy Supporting the RRC Smart City InitiativeSupporting the Capricorn Coast’s Digital Strategy | RRC developed a Smart Regional Centre Strategy in 2015 and was recognised in Nov 2019 with an Asia-Pacific Leading Smart City Award at an international conference in China. LSC developed the Capricorn Coast Smart Region Strategy in 2018 with key activities outlined for 2019 and 2020 |
ADDITIONAL MAJOR REGIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS
| Surf Lakes Yeppoon | Prototype approved and operational from October 2018. Jan 2022 Livingstone Shire (Capricorn Coast) Council approved Development Application (DA) for wave park facility and accommodation. Investment of $55 Million required to construct. |
| ASMTI – Australian Singapore Military Training Initiative at Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (SWBMTA) | $1 Billion Federal funds announced in 2015. Capricorn Enterprise played a key role in liaising between the Tier One contractor and local businesses, and developed the Work in Central Queensland Jobs Platform. ASMTI facility officially opened November 2024 |
| Rockhampton Ring Road | $1 Billion project $800 M federal and $200 M state committed November 2018. Capricorn Enterprise in partnership with Industry and elected State and Federal Members, advocated to the Qld and Australian governments to deliver the RRR as promised, hosting a major forum in November 2022. Funding confirmed for stage 1 in December 2022. Contracts Awarded , Briefings held, and construction commenced November 2023. Rockhampton Ring Road 17.4km fully funded – January 2024. Due for completion 2028. |
Additional information on our Regional Priority Projects can be found within our Annual Reports: