CHDC 2024-25 Central Highlands Major Projects Register

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS MAJOR PROJECTS REGISTER 2024-25

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TOTAL PROJECTS

$5 BILLION TOTAL VALUE

It’s an exciting time to be doing business in the Central Highlands, with a host of major projects recently completed, underway, or in the pipeline.

Forty-one major projects, collectively valued at more than $5 billion, are listed in the register.

Among the key resource developments are the greenfield coal project, Wilton Fairhill, and extensions to five existing mines. While Willton Fairhill is expected to create 200 new jobs, the extension projects will play a vital role in preserving existing employment and affirming sector confidence.

The region is set to increase its involvement in renewable energy with the potential development of the Boomer Green Energy Hub. The initiative complements other promising renewable ventures, such as the Blackwater and Dingo solar farms.

Local businesses are stepping up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Exciting initiatives include Emerald Coaches’ hydrogen buses, Ergon Energy’s large-scale network battery, and innovative approaches by Kestrel and Curragh mines to use coal mine waste gas for applications such as power generation and diesel replacement.

The remaining projects underscore the Central Highlands’ dedication to enhancing liveability, with significant upgrades planned for health, education, and recreational facilities. Confidence within the business sector is evidenced by numerous retail and accommodation expansions.

5 Marist College Emerald Physical Education Precinct

Image courtesy of Dynamic Crane Hire and taken by That Emerald Photographer.

RECENTLY COMPLETED

Projects completed within the past six months.

BIG4 BREEZE HOLIDAY PARKS –CARNARVON GORGE EXTENSION

Breeze Management Group

Value: $6 million

Jobs: Construction 12, Operational 5

The installation of nine deluxe ecotourism cabins, restaurant, staff accommodation, and solar farm was completed in May 2024.

EMERALD HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REFURBISHMENT

Queensland Health Value: $10 million

The emergency department underwent a complete refurbishment, gaining additional clinical consultation spaces and resuscitation bays. The upgraded facility was officially opened in April 2024.

EMERALD MITRE 10 TRADE EXTENSION

Emerald Co-operative Society Value: $3.9 million

The extension of the hardware and trade supply section, along with additional parking, was completed in early 2024.

GREGORY CRINUM M-BLOCK EXTENSION

Sojitz Blue

Jobs: Existing workforce

Open-cut mining of M-Block, east of the existing mining area, commenced in January 2024. Open-cut operations will continue for three years before moving to the underground resource. The project will extend operations for up to 20 years.

MARIST COLLEGE EMERALD PHYSICAL EDUCATION PRECINCT

Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Value: $8.3 million

Completed in May 2024, the new physical education precinct incorporates two multi-sports courts, gym, toilets, change room facilities, and additional parking.

STATE GAS CNG FACILITY

State Gas

Located south of Rolleston, the facility was commissioned in February 2024 and will support the processing and sale of compressed natural gas. It is the first of its kind in Australia and will enable supply to remote customers.

WILTON FAIRHILL PROJECT

Futura Resources

Value: $60 million

Jobs: Operational 200

Open-cut operations began at Wilton in November 2023, with Fairhill expected to commence late 2024. The greenfield metallurgical coal project is expected to produce 2.5 million tonnes per annum over its 20-year mine life.

FUNDED PROJECTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Projects currently under construction.

BLACKWATER MULTIPURPOSE HEALTH SERVICE

RENEWAL

Queensland Health Value: $26.5 million

Jobs: Construction 73

Set for completion in October 2024, the existing healthcare facility is being replaced by a new modular design. The hospital will include inpatient medical services, palliative care, radiography, emergency services, and residential aged care.

CORONADO GAS PROJECT

Coronado Global Resources

The gas pilot project at Curragh complex aims to capture and utilise waste gas from the open-cut operations. The gas will be used for power generation and as a diesel substitute in mining fleets.

EMERALD MEDICAL GROUP ALLIED HEALTH FACILITY

Central Highlands Healthcare Value: $2.8 million

Aiming to improve access to allied health services for Central Highlands residents, the GP SuperClinic extension will include 10 practice rooms and dedicated training facilities. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2024.

ERGON ENERGY NETWORK BATTERY

Ergon Energy

Emerald has been selected for a large-scale network-connected battery site to capture the extra energy generated through household solar to redistribute when electricity demand is high.

GHUNGALU NUNEE GARDENS

Central Highlands Regional Council Value: $1.75 million

Water features, planted ‘rooms’, and metal artwork are being used to represent the Indigenous experience of being ‘on-country’. Stage 1 includes excavation and earthworks.

HAYMANS EMERALD RELOCATION AND EXPANSION

MM Electrical Merchandising

The electrical retailer has outgrown its current premises and is constructing a new 280-squaremetre display and 790-square-metre storage facility. The new store is slated to open in late 2024.

JCU

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CENTRE FOR RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH

James Cook University Value: $4.2 million

Jobs: Construction 10, Operational 6

Co-located with Emerald Medical Group and scheduled to open in September 2024, the new training facility will offer world-class clinical training in the Central Highlands.

MARATHON ESTATE STAGE 1

Vancard

Value: $4 million

Located east of Emerald, the commercial land development will accommodate outdoor sales, showrooms, large-format retail, and light industrial uses. Stage 1 includes 12 lots and is expected to title in July 2024.

WARATAH ACCOMMODATION VILLAGE

Qantac

Stage 1 of the 492-bed accommodation village in Blackwater is anticipated to open in October 2024. Catering to the non-resident workforce, the village features energy efficient building design and a 660-kilowatt solar system.

ANNOUNCED

Projects with funding support that are in design, approval, or pre-construction stage.

BLACKWATER SOLAR FARM

TotalEnergies

Value: $350 million

Jobs: Construction 250, Operational 15

The 270-megawatt renewable energy facility will include a 200-megawatt, 800-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, connecting directly to the grid to supply electricity to the market.

BOOMER GREEN ENERGY HUB

Ark Energy

Value: $3 billion

Jobs: Construction 350, Operational 20

Investigations are underway to assess the feasibility of a large-scale wind farm. The design incorporates up to 150 wind turbines. Pending approvals, construction could commence late 2027.

CH COLAB

Central Highlands Community Services

Value: $3.7 million

A 980-square-metre building in Emerald is being refurbished to create a digitally enabled co-working and event space. The project will also include serviced office tenancy.

DINGO SOLAR FARM

OX2

Value: $140 million

Located east of Dingo, the renewable energy facility is currently in planning and design.

EMERALD

AIRPORT RUNWAY UPGRADES

Central Highlands Regional Council

Value: $6 million

Runway and airside upgrades are being planned to facilitate the arrival of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s (RFDS) King Air 360 turboprop aircraft. In collaboration with Emerald Rotary, RFDS recently installed a patient transfer facility at the airport to serve the nearly 500 patients flown out annually.

EMERALD BOTANIC GARDENS DEVELOPMENT

Central Highlands Regional Council

Value: $7 million

The gardens are set to receive a makeover including new and renovated garden areas, pathways, trails, pedestrian bridge, nursery, and a visitor centre.

EMERALD COACHES E-MISSION ZERO

Emerald Coaches

Value: $6 million (Stage 1)

With a goal to transition the 120-strong fleet to hydrogen by 2040, the project’s first stage is to operate two fuel cell buses from the Emerald depot. The buses will use hydrogen supplied by an on-site production and refuelling system. Construction and equipment are expected to be commissioned by mid-2025.

EMERALD STATE HIGH SCHOOL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE

Department of Education

Value: $10 million

With construction expected to commence in 2025, the new Industrial Technology Centre will include design technology spaces, learning areas, and engineering and building workshops.

EMERALD TOURIST PARK EXPANSION

Emerald Tourist Park Value: $5 million (All Stages)

Jobs: Construction 12, Operational 25

The tourist park expansion will be carried out in multiple stages. The first stage, encompassing 40 camping sites, pool, amenities block, electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels, will be installed by May 2025. Subsequent stages will include additional cabins, motel rooms, bar, and restaurant.

MAMMOTH UNDERGROUND MINE

Coronado Global Resources

Jobs: Operational 180

The underground metallurgical coal project is an extension to the Curragh complex. Subject to approvals and equipment mobilisation, operations will commence in December 2024. Once fully operational, it will deliver 1.5 to two million tonnes per annum.

MCINDOE PARK FACILITIES UPGRADE

Central Highlands Regional Council Value: $3.19 million

The sporting complex in Emerald will receive an upgrade including a new rugby field.

QUEENSLAND BEEF CORRIDORS

Local, State and Federal Governments

A 10-year investment strategy will see priority road corridors upgraded to support Queensland’s beef industry. Early works will include sections of the Fitzroy Development Road between Bauhinia and Duaringa. These works are in addition to the $1 billion Inland Freight Route, also known as the Second Bruce.

RDO EQUIPMENT RELOCATION AND EXPANSION

RDO Equipment

Value: $20 million

Jobs: Construction 50, Operational 40

Construction of the new John Deere dealership, relocating east of Emerald, is set to commence in July 2024. Facilities will include a seven-bay workshop, parts storage, 100-kilowatt solar, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicle charging stations.

SPRINGSURE AQUATIC CENTRE RENEWAL

Central Highlands Regional Council

Value: $11.9 million

The project will include the replacement of the 25-metre main pool and children’s wading pool, and construction of a new 17-metre heated pool

UNFUNDED PROJECTS

CREDIBLY PROPOSED

Projects that are supported but are still in feasibility or business case stage and therefore do not yet have committed funding.

BLACKWATER NORTH EXTENSION PROJECT

Whitehaven Coal

Jobs: Existing workforce

The project proposes to continue operations to the east of existing pits, with the potential to extend operations to 2085.

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND SMART CROPPING CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

The Emerald research hub will house staff, a robotics control centre, and research and processing facilities. Additionally, it will support greater extension and demonstration capacity with an onsite, field-day centre.

ENERGREEN NUTRITION MULTI-OILSEED CRUSHING PLANT

Energreen Nutrition

Value: $25 million

Located at the CQ Inland Port, the Central Queensland crushing plant will produce edible oil feedstocks to meet the growing Asia-Pacific market, and bio-diesel feedstock to fuel the renewable energy revolution. Construction is expected to commence in 2025.

ENSHAM LIFE OF MINE EXTENSION

Ensham Resources

Jobs: Existing workforce

The project will transition underground operations to the west, supporting the current 600-strong workforce, and extending the life of the mine to 2037.

KESTREL COAL MINE WASTE GAS POWER STATION

Kestrel Coal Resources

Jobs: Construction 160, Operational 5

The project will utilise waste gas drained from the underground mine to generate electricity through a purpose-built power station.

KESTREL WEST MINE EXTENSION

Kestrel Coal Resources

Jobs: Existing workforce

The project is progressing with a voluntary Environmental Impact Statement. The area will adjoin current operations and utilise existing infrastructure. It is expected to extend the life of the mine to 2050.

MAHALO JOINT VENTURE

Comet Ridge and Santos

Value: $200 million

While the greenfield coal seam gas project has petroleum leases and environmental approval granted, it requires a licence for an 80-kilometre pipeline connection to the east coast gas market.

MAHALO NORTH

Comet Ridge

Located in the Mahalo Gas Hub, the greenfield project has applications in various stages of regulatory processes of both state and federal authorities.

PROSPECTIVE

Projects under investor consideration.

BLACKWATER SOUTH COKING COAL PROJECT

Whitehaven Coal

Jobs: Construction up to 500, Operational up to 1,200

The project has commenced the external approval processes and was identified as a Queensland Government Coordinated Project.

CQ INLAND PORT RAILWAY LOOP

CQ Inland Port

Located to the east of Emerald, the industrial estate features an intermodal freight facility with rail siding access to the western rail line. The proposed loop would improve efficiency, flexibility, and safety in rail operations. The project is currently seeking funding.

IONA AGRICULTURAL PRECINCT

Northern Australia Agrifoods

Value: $240 million

The precinct proposes to encompass a feedlot, beef processing plant, power generation, by-products facility and a bio nutrient fertiliser plant. The project is currently seeking funding.

About MAJOR PROJECTS

The Major Projects Register provides a snapshot of key developments and significant projects in the Central Highlands.

It is produced biennially by the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) as part of our commitment to supporting and promoting sustainable regional economic development and investment attraction.

The register provides valuable information for local businesses, government, and prospective investors, showcasing the region’s growth and aiding in informed decision-making and strategic planning.

About US

CHDC is the lead economic and tourism development agency for the Central Highlands.

For more than 25 years, CHDC has partnered with industry, business, government, and communities to drive growth and empower businesses.

Our rich understanding of the local economic landscape has allowed us to deliver insights and strategic action plans for the region. In turn, this has contributed to building strong, capable businesses and industries that are supply-chain ready and optimised for expansion.

About CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

The Central Highlands is a robust and diverse region situated at the heart of Australia’s resource and agricultural sectors.

Spanning almost 60,000km2, the region encompasses a significant portion of the Bowen Basin, Australia’s largest coal reserve, and supplies over a quarter of Queensland’s coal production.

With the largest cattle inventory in Australia, the Central Highlands stands as a beef powerhouse. It is also boasts thriving broadacre cropping and horticultural industries, sustained by irrigation sourced from water storage on the Nogoa and Comet Rivers.

Pristine natural attractions, including Carnarvon Gorge, the Sapphire Gemfields, and Blackdown Tableland National Park, are driving an emerging visitor economy.

The region is a three-hour drive west of Rockhampton and a 1.5-hour flight from Brisbane, and includes the communities of Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, Bluff, Capella, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Rolleston, Sapphire Gemfields, Springsure and Tieri.

CHDC has prepared the information presented in this document as a general reference only. Significant care has been taken to confirm the currency and accuracy of the information at the time of publication. CHDC takes no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All persons using or relying upon this document do so at their own risk and assume sole responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content. Published June 2024.

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