Queensland Plan
February 2014
Capricorn Coast & Livingstone Shire
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
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Forward Dear Premier, Your government’s Queensland Plan initiative enables our region to partner in building on the four pillars of the Queensland economy to help reach the collective targets for our great state. Re-formed on the 1st January 2014 with a renewed vigour and determination, the Livingstone Shire Council has embraced our opportunities in Tourism, Agriculture, Construction and Resources, complemented by the Top 10 Queensland Plan priority actions outlined in this submission. We have the foundations in place to build upon the projects previously intended by our local communities, made even stronger by our genuine resolve to work collaboratively with our neighbouring local government authorities, state and federal governments. We support and endorse the Qld Plan – Rockhampton Region – We Can submission authored by our regional tourism and economic development Organisation, Capricorn Enterprise, in partnership with the six Qld Plan delegates, three State and two Federal elected Members of Parliament, representing our greater region within Central Queensland and the Southern Great Barrier Reef. As an extension of that submission, this document outlines more specific detail applicable to the Livingstone Shire Council communities and the integral role we play in linking and achieving those regional initiatives and priorities. With two major integrated resort developments planned in the Livingstone Shire;- Capricorn Integrated Resort on the Capricorn Coast and the Great Keppel Island Resort in Keppel Bay, we can help return Queensland’s tourism industry to number 1. Spectacular coastline with enhanced recreation and beautification will cater for increased population growth, whilst our rich soils and pastures offer sustainable agricultural pursuits for a growing residential and business community. Our destination will continue to be the residential choice for regional workers in the resources sector as well as those working in education, health, construction, retail and the services sector. The construction of strategic road corridor and tourism transport linkages already planned, will be critical in our ability to ensure our integrated growth areas are well connected and well protected from natural weather events. Livingstone Shire Council is committed to delivering on our Priority Projects to support The Queensland Plan!
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Capricorn Coast & Livingstone by the NUMBERS
Contents Forward 2 Priority Summary 4 Education (Priority 1) 6 Communities (Priority 2) 8 Queensland Business (Priority 3) 10
Study, Work, Live (Priority 4)
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Infrastructure (Priority 5) 14
Long Term Planning (Priority 6)
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Skills & Productivity (Priority 7)
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Innovation (Priority 8) 20
Centres of Excellence (Priority 9)
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Education Partnerships (Priority 10)
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Bibliography 26
Disclaimer This profile was produced by Capricorn Enterprise. All data and information in this report are believed to be accurate and have come from sources believed to be reliable. However, Capricorn Enterprise does not guarantee or represent that the data and information are accurate, up to date or complete, and disclaims liability for all claims, losses, damages or costs of whatever nature and howsoever occurring, arising as a result of relying on the data and information, CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise.
34,595
population at 30 June 2012
11,776.3
square km - size of the Shire
10,515
number of vehicles daily between Yeppoon and Rockhampton
14,852
number of private dwellings
2,815
number of businesses registered
3.6%
growth rate in 12 months to June 2012
30.1%
of population between 40 and 59 years of age
14.6%
of population between 10 and 19 years of age
39.7
median age in Yeppoon
222.1
persons – Yeppoon’s population density per square km
14,733
number of people employed
house price in $396,000 median Yeppoon (Sep 2013) 3
State Priorities Our Priorities
Tourism Agriculture Construction Resources
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Completion of Coastal Foreshore Redevelopments including: - a children’s waterpark and parklands in Yeppoon - beautification of Kerr Park precinct in Emu Park - dredging of the Causeway Lake
Assist in the International Integrated Resort Developments which complement and enhance the pristine environment on the Capricorn Coast and southern Great Barrier Reef - Tower Holdings (Great Keppel Island Resort) and Iwasaki Sangyo company (Mercure Capricorn Resort)
Completion of the coastal bikeway linkage between Yeppoon and Emu Park
LSC to be supported to update coastal hazard mapping for growth areas
Advance and publicly notifying a QPP compliant Planning Scheme for the Livingstone Shire Council
Planning provisions for increased industrial pursuits between Bondoola Sawmill and the Pineapple Patch development
Completion of the Barmaryee Sports Precinct/Multipurpose facility
Construction of the Emu Park alternative Feeder Route to improve traffic flow and enable the consolidation of the Emu Park town centre
Support any planning and submissions required to construct the Yeppoon Northern Bypass Road (linking the Bruce Highway 50km north of Rockhampton, to Yeppoon via Byfield Road)
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
Provide critical road linkage for the northern suburbs of Yeppoon and the Iwasaki Sangyo Capricorn Integrated Resort development by completing the Yeppoon Western Bypass stage 2 through Panorama Drive. The economic and social benefit to the community for Iwasaki Sangyo Capricorn Integrated Resort project is reflected in its State Significance status.
Our Priorities
Our Livingstone & Capricorn Coast Priorities
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Education
1. Education that is flexible, affordable and accessible to all, including rural, remote and disadvantaged
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• There are currently 3 High Schools on the Capricorn Coast/ Livingstone Shire - Yeppoon SHS (plus Special education program), St Brendan’s Secondary school (day and boarding), St Ursula’s secondary (day and boarding). • North Keppel Island also offers an Education Centre for school camps with hands on educational training on this Southern Great Barrier Reef island in the Keppel Group. • There is an imminent need for a high school in Emu Park to cater for residential growth and planning for another primary school needs to be considered. • Queensland’s first Dual sector University, through the merger of CQUniversity and CQTAFE will commence on the 1st July 2014. Up to 60% of the 841 employees currently at the CQUniversity head campus in Rockhampton live in the Livingstone Shire, predominantly along the Capricorn Coast.
• Both institutions are showing success at lifting the study participation rate among CQ school leavers, which still lags poorly behind that of metropolitan areas – more work is still to be done but the merger will have a dramatic impact on addressing the metro – CQ education disparity.
Education
• There are currently 13 Primary Schools in the Livingstone Shire;- Emu Park SS (+ special education program), The Caves SS, Keppel Sands SS, Cawarral SS, Coowonga SS, Marlborough SS, Milman SS, Byfield SS, Farnborough SS, Taranganba SS (+ Special education program), Yeppoon SS (+ Special education program), Sacred Heart and Saint Benedict’s.
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Cater for rapid growth by building a high school at Emu Park • Increase the number of students achieving post school qualifications • Earmark appropriate land at Emu Park for another primary school • Cater for growth at the Yeppoon Dual Sector (Uni/TAFE) campus
• Yeppoon is home to one of the former TAFE campuses which will be re-energised through its ‘home base’ in nearby Rockhampton. It will offer an affordable and seamless educational journey for residents on the Capricorn Coast, removing the traditional artificial barriers between the two education streams. • CQUniversity services the highest proportion of students from low socio economic backgrounds of any Australian university, including double the national average of indigenous student participation, and one of the highest rates of students from rural/remote backgrounds (at 65%). Likewise, CQ TAFE services comparatively high rates of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
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Communities
2. Communities that are well planned, well connected and engender community spirit
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Completion of Coastal Foreshore Redevelopments including: - a children’s waterpark and parklands in Yeppoon - beautification of Kerr Park precinct in Emu Park - dredging of the Causeway Lake • Completion of the coastal bikeway linkage between Yeppoon and Emu Park • LSC to be supported to update coastal hazard mapping for growth areas 8
• Advance and publicly notifying a QPP compliant Planning Scheme for the Livingstone Shire Council
• The combined Emu Park and Yeppoon statistical areas are expected to increase by 90.95% from 2011 to 2031. The Livingstone Shire population is expected to increase by 66.9% from 2011 to 2031. • The Top 5 Activities for residents are Fishing, Swimming, Walking, Cycling and Sailing. • A comprehensive Audit of key sport and recreation facilities outlines a wide range on offer, from swimming to shooting, diving to dancing, sailing to surfing, golfing to gymnastics, croquet to cricket, bowling to basketball, tennis to theatre, horse racing to horse riding, cycling to skate parks, football to fishing. • The community places enormous value on the foreshore areas, as open space that needs to be managed for protection and sustainability. • An extensive community survey nominates the main types of changes required for sporting facilities; 1. Improved Amenities, 2. Provision of new playing surfaces, 3. Provision of shaded areas and 4. Improvements to access to facilities. • The LSC Pathways Policy (2006) ensures that all development considers and integrates bicycle access, either by construction or monetary contribution. The policy outlines five geographical divisions along the coastline; 1. Farnborough to Yeppoon, 2. Yeppoon, 3. Cooee Bay to Rosslyn Bay, 4. Mulambin to Kinka Beach, 5. Emu Park. • Extensive community consultation within a number of Local Government Master Planning and Specific Project reports between 2000 and 2011, identifies Coastal Foreshore Redevelopment as the number one project desired by the community. This is reflected in the region’s official tourism plans including the Central Qld Tourism Opportunity Plan (CQTOP 2009-2019), the Capricorn Region Destination Tourism Strategy (2012-2016) and the Capricorn Region Draft Destination Tourism Plan (2014 – 2020). The 2011 Yeppoon Foreshore Redevelopment Master Plan Draft Report states “The vision for the Parklands that has been consistently expressed in the
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
consultation work is that of a predominately green, safe, family orientated parklands with a water park as a key attractor.” Redevelopment of our coastal foreshore would increase opportunities for more parklands, pathways, community events, amenities and active spaces. • A Master Plan for Emu Park Town Centre (2003) identified 7 Precincts; 1. Hill Street Precinct, 2. Bicentennial Park Precinct, 3. Bell Park Precinct, 4. Kerr Park Precinct, 5. Residential Precinct, 6. Pattison Street Precinct, 7. Emu Point Precinct. Within the Master Plan, a Structure Plan proposes initiatives and opportunities including a Focus on Identity, Green Spaces, Heritage Walk/ Boardwalk, Sustainable Practices, Community Public Art, Memorable Urban Environment, Views and Vistas. • Whilst significant redevelopment of the Emu Park town centre was completed in 2005/06, beautification of the Kerr Park Precinct incorporating the Emu Park RSL is needed to provide upgraded public recreation facilities and to link two regionally significant open space areas. • Whilst coastal foreshore redevelopment includes a number of ‘nodes’ along the coastline between the main townships of Yeppoon and Emu Park, the specific development of a waterpark and parklands area similar to other sized urban centres along the Queensland Coast (and in line-with funding seen in recent years), continues to be the community’s major desire. • Whilst Stage One of the Yeppoon Main beach redevelopment was completed in 2003, with subsequent demolition of the Old Hospital in 2010, funds for a waterpark and extension of the parklands are urgently needed. • Dredging of the Causeway Lake has been the subject of numerous studies, reports, meetings and political campaigns since 1997. Official CQUniversity studies (Field Data Analysis Jan 2005, Numerical Model Analysis August 2005 and Assessment of Sediment Quality June 2006), outline that since its creation in 1939, the Lake (86ha) has been silted significantly with the average depth reduced from over 2metres to about 0.5metres. Estuaries adjoining the beach at the Causeway would be improved by relieving the system of silt build-up to enable increased waterpark leisure activities and fish habitat areas. • In 2003 LSC adopted the “Capricorn Coast Stormtide Hazard Report” to be used for the Preparation of the 2005 Planning scheme. The 2005 completed Planning scheme contains triggers for consideration of storm tide. Council will as a priority for the safety of our community and visitors conduct a new study to reflect the Queensland EHP Coastal Hazards 9 methodology with regard to sea level rise.
Communities
• The Capricorn Coast is a place to Live, Visit and Recreate, providing a playground for all Central Queensland workers. Livingstone Shire’s population increased by 3.6% in 12 months to June 2012.
Internationally Competitive
3. Queensland being recognised as internationally competitive with an increase in exports/business especially in agriculture and ecotourism sectors
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Support the local agricultural sector and all small businesses who provide products for export • Assist in the International Integrated Resort Developments which complement and enhance the pristine environment on the Capricorn Coast and southern Great Barrier Reef • Encourage eco-tourism tour opportunities for accommodation operators and local agricultural exports such as pineapples and exotic fruits Capricorn Caves - Advanced Eco Tourism 10
• Support the international student growth opportunities at the CQUniversity dual sector.
to approx. $200 million. Export products are sold into the agriculture, chemical and refractory industries. Sibelco’s Magnesia Operations employs around 350 employees.
• An annual $50.5 Million worth of cattle and calves processed in the Livingstone Shire Council area is the largest proportion of the $72.2 Million worth of annual agricultural production in the Shire.
• Eco-tourism ventures along the Capricorn Coast include accommodation and rainforest tours in the pristine Byfield township, north of Yeppoon, with nearby national park and state forest. Wetland Tours at Mercure Capricorn Resort (owned by Iwasaki Sangyo P/L), caving adventures and paleontological tours at Capricorn Caves, four wheel driving to Five Rocks and Nine Mile Beach in the national park, are all part of the eco-tourism portfolio of the Capricorn Coast.
• $6.2 Million worth of Pineapples makes up the majority of the annual $7.6 Million total fruit production which also includes Mangoes, Lychees and other Orchard fruit. The shire produces 98.4 % of the entire Fitzroy region’s pineapples and 12.4% of Queensland’s annual production. • Pasture, cereal and other crops cut for hay, account for $2.7 Million annual production. • $3.8 Million in vegetables is produced which accounts for 40.4% of the annual production in the greater Fitzroy region. • Nurseries, cut flowers and cultivated turf account for $2.2 Million annually.
• There is opportunity for the exotic fruit farms and accommodation operators to partner in delivering eco-tourism tours, particularly with the expansion of the coast’s tourism industry with the realisation of major integrated resort developments by Iwasaki Sangyo Company (Mercure Capricorn Resort) and Tower Holdings (Great Keppel Island Resort Revitalisation).
• Livingstone’s lychees accounts for 54.8% of the greater Fitzroy region’s and 5.8% of Queensland’s annual production.
• Livingstone Shire Council has prepared a draft Strategic Framework to accompany a new Planning Scheme for Livingstone Shire. The Framework and the Queensland Planning Provisions state that there is a category for major tourism and minor tourism (QPP V 3.0). Council will be identifying major tourism nodes within the local government planning scheme area.
• Koorana Crocodile Farm at Coowonga on the Capricorn Coast has 3,000 crocodiles, selling high quality product in Australia as well as exporting to the USA, Japan and Europe. Koorana is a working farm open to visitors, also offering educational tour year round and is a major tourist attraction for the region.
• The International student market is Australia’s 4th largest export industry, but this is rarely recognised. Education is also a major export for the region; CQU has historically been one of the international student giants in Australia, and is today still one of the largest providers of education to international students.
• Sibelco Australia Ltd Magnesia Operations (QMAG) carries out its magnesite mining operations from two locations at Kunwarara. Approximately 3.5 million tonnes of ROM ore is mined annually from a 400+ million tonne resource to produce around 600,000 tonnes of beneficiated magnesite per annum. Magnesite is transported to Sibelco’s Parkhurst facility to produce almost 300,000 tonnes of calcined, deadburned and fused magnesia generating revenues up
• International students studying with James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville travel annually to Great Keppel Island to conduct research on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
• Milk is $3.3 Million annually and is 36.7% of the entire Fitzroy region’s annual production.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
Internationally Competitive
• There are 496 businesses registered in Livingstone Shire in agriculture, forestry and fishing which represents 17.1%, the second highest number of all businesses registered.
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Study, Work, Live
4. Regions being attractive to study, work and live for bright minds and trained professionals
Rockhampton Art Gallery 12
• The Livingstone Shire, particularly along the Capricorn Coast, continues to demonstrate some of the highest growth rates in Queensland. Yeppoon’s population on its own is expected to increase by 71.8% from 2011 to 2031, and Emu Park’s population on its own is expected to increase by 163.8% from 2011 to 2031. • The natural beauty of the Capricorn Coast provides the same appeal for visitors as it does for residents, which is why a large portion of trained professionals live on the coast and commute daily to Rockhampton for work (10,515 vehicles per day YeppoonRockhampton Road, 5,129 vehicles per day Emu Park-Rockhampton Road).
• It is proven that if you train locally, you retain locally. CQU Rockhampton campus is delivering a constant stream of skilled graduates who will go on to build professional careers in the region.
Study, Work, Live
• The Capricorn Coast/Livingstone Shire is the residential choice of place for trained professionals working in Rockhampton. This is reflected in our strong growth rate, employment figures and industry statistics.
Our QLD Plan Priorities • The Capricorn Coast will continue to offer the most scenic, affordable, friendly destination for trained professionals to live, work, study and recreate.
• The median house price is $396,000 and the median unit/ townhouse price in Yeppoon $295,000 (as at Sep 2013). • The top five employment figures for the Capricorn Coast/LSC is 1577 construction employees, 1525 retail trade employees, 1507 health and social assistance employees, 1426 education and training employees, 1209 mining employees. • 34.1% of all employees choosing to live on the Capricorn Coast and within the Livingstone Shire, work in Rockhampton, with another 10.4% working further away. This trend will continue to grow. • The North Keppel Island Education Centre offers a unique opportunity for study camps on the southern Great Barrier Reef. • The development of the Great Keppel Island Research Centre and the commencement of the CQUniversity’s dual sector (merger with TAFE) on 1st July 2014, will further increase the number of trained professionals settling on the Capricorn Coast. • Recent studies have shown that approximately 75% of university students who graduate in regional areas, still remain working in regional areas after 3 years.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
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Infrastructure
5. Delivery of economic, social and community benefits through infrastructure
Stanwell 14 Power Station
• The 2003 Capricorn Coast Integrated Development Proposal outlined priority outcomes including the development of the Yeppoon Foreshore as a tourist/pedestrian precinct, development of a viable and vibrant Commercial Precinct in Yeppoon, development of a vibrant Cultural Precinct in Yeppoon, construction and enhancement of strategic transport infrastructure, including multimodal facilities and alternative transport routes, expansion of primary product capacity, and the creation of a strategic road network to encourage rational growth and a logical Road Hierarchy. • Whilst a number of the infrastructure projects, both public and private, have been achieved over subsequent years, critical stages are yet to be completed to complement the regional strategic work done to date. - This includes the construction of the Panorama Drive access (Yeppoon Western Bypass stage 2), which would link the Iwasaki Sangyo Company’s Capricorn Integrated Resort Development to Limestone Creek Road, providing alternative access during natural weather events, the most recent experience being the end of January/beginning of February 2014. • In 2006, the Capricorn Coast Integrated Transport Plan recommended that State Government, through Queensland Transport, Main Roads and the LSC, jointly undertake the necessary planning, design, and construction of the Emu Park alternative Feeder Route. - The Route would connect Emu Park/Rockhampton Road directly with the Scenic Highway via the western side of the Emu Park airstrip. By upgrading approx 480m of Henry Street and construction of 2.2km of new road from Henry street north connecting to the Scenic highway at Ritamada Road, LSC could assume responsibility for the Scenic Hwy from Ritamada Road to the Emu Park CBD including Pattison Street, and from Hill street in the CBD to the intersection of Henry street and Emu Park Road.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
• In 2002, a comprehensive Open Space and Recreation Plan, through extensive consultation, confirmed that the community strongly want their open space to be safe, well maintained and accessible through bikeways, pathways and public linkages. Regional parks were identified as high priority, as was the development and protection of the Shire’s open spaces. A number of recommendations were developed especially for bikeways, road reserves, street tree planting, use of school facilities, cultural heritage areas and the development of sporting facilities and outdoor recreation areas.
Infrastructure
• Extensive planning has already been undertaken to deliver key infrastructure projects to ensure economic, social and community benefits within the Livingstone Shire. The creation of a ‘Coastal Pathway’, which connects activity nodes which are destination and recreation focused will complement strategic road links with a diverse mix of urban, rural and coastal residential styles.
• Many of these recommendations continue to be actioned, with the commencement of the Barmaryee Sports Precinct/Multipurpose facility, further contributing to the lifestyle sought by residents.
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Provide critical road linkage for the northern suburbs of Yeppoon and the Iwasaki Sangyo Capricorn Integrated Resort development by completing the Yeppoon Western Bypass stage 2 through Panorama Drive. The economic and social benefit to the community for Iwasaki Sangyo Capricorn Integrated Resort project is reflected in its State Significance status. • Completion of the Barmaryee Sports Precinct/ Multipurpose facility • Construction of the Emu Park alternative Feeder Route to improve traffic flow and enable the consolidation of the Emu Park town centre.
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Long Term Planning
6. A long term approach to planning and delivery of infrastructure
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• Policies are in place to continue the pathway corridor linking Yeppoon and Emu Park. In continuing the strong theme from previous consultations, the development of recreation focused infrastructure for locals and visitors is critical in maintaining the coast’s destination and recreation appeal. • Long term planning for a Yeppoon Northern Bypass Road (2013 McMurtrie Feasibility study and CQUniversity economic assessment), in addition to the short term planning for the Northern Yeppoon Link, will continue to deliver opportunities for increased visitation as well as consequential development opportunities. • The two reports (2013 Capricorn Coast – Bruce Hwy Road Link Feasibility study and Economic access of a northern access road; Bruce Hwy to Yeppoon) investigated the possibility of a road entering the Bruce Highway 50km north of Rockhampton, running east-west between the existing Yeppoon-Byfield Road on the eastern side to the Raspberry Creek/Bruce Highway on the western side. The road would provide a short cut into Yeppoon for visitors travelling south, as well as a tourist loop road to avoid using the same highway for ingress and egress. The project was led by community groups with $100,000 raised via donations from Capricorn Coast businesses and individuals for the feasibility study and economic assessment. The studies revealed that an estimated additional 8,106 new groups per year may visit the Capricorn Coast if a bitumen northern access road was constructed, or 2,457 new groups on a gravel road, generating $3.3 M to $4.6M tourist dollars per annum, or $1 Million pa respectively.
Our QLD Plan Priorities
Long Term Planning
• The foundations are in place for the inevitable long term growth of the area, particularly along the Capricorn Coast. Long term planning will complement the regional strategic work done to date, acknowledging that we can achieve a stronger future by working together to achieve critical infrastructure.
• Continue to implement the pathway corridor linking Yeppoon and Emu Park • Continue to encourage developments which provide the catalyst for strategic transport connectivity. • Continue to encourage developments in areas where the infrastructure has spare capacity to absorb the growth demands. • Support any planning and submissions required to construct the Yeppoon Northern Bypass Road (linking the Bruce Highway 50km north of Rockhampton, to Yeppoon via Byfield Road. • Planning provisions for increased industrial pursuits between Bondoola Sawmill and the Pineapple Patch development.
Artist impression of Yeppoon Foreshore redevelopment (Stage 2)
• Strategically Positioned Development approvals are already in place to reduce delivery time. Long term developments such as the Pineapple Patch will ensure our growth is sustainable and well planned.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
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Yeppoon Foreshore Redevelopment Master Plan
Skills & Productivity
7. The highest productivity rate in Australia with no skills shortage
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• The top ten industries by employment in the Livingstone Shire at the 2011 census were: Construction – 1577 employees (10.7%) Retail trade – 1525 (10.4%) Health Care and Social Assistance – 1507 (10.2%) Education and training – 1426 (9.7%) Mining – 1209 (8.2%) Accommodation and food services – 1,117 (7.6%) Public administration and safety – 960 (6.5%) Manufacturing – 916 (8.2%) Transport, postal and warehousing – 626 (4.2%) Professional, scientific and technical services – 597 (4.1%) • The top ten industries by number of businesses registered in the Livingstone Shire at the 2011 census were: Construction – 658 (22.7%) Agriculture, forestry and fishing – 496 (17.1%) Rental, hiring and real estate services – 260 (9%) Professional, scientific and technical services – 218 (7.5%) Transport, postal and warehousing – 174 (6%) Other services – 161 (5.5%) Retail trade – 158 (5.4%) Accommodation and food services – 140 (4.8%) Financial and insurance services – 126 (4.3%) Manufacturing – 92 (3.2%)
• 49.9% of persons 15 years and over have a post school qualification (2011 census) which means we are achieving qualifications faster than our population is growing.
Skills & Productivity
• Of the 5,808 businesses registered in the Livingstone Shire in 2011/12, 48% of these were at the Capricorn Coast and 21.7% in the northern area of the shire. A significant number (41.5%) of businesses registered in the northern area of the shire (i.e north of Rockhampton) were in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.
Our QLD Plan Priorities • The CQUniversity dual sector approach to postschool education will transform the way local industries are supplied with well-rounded graduates and trainees who are far better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of this unique economic zone • By merging with TAFE, skills delivery will become far more responsive and reactive to the needs of industry
Pineapple farms
• These figures further demonstrate that the Capricorn Coast/ Livingstone Shire is the preferred place to live within the greater region, which results in a higher productivity rate for local employers. Employers in Rockhampton can easily attract skilled workers to the destination by offering a magnificent lifestyle choice on the Capricorn Coast.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
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Innovation
8. Investment and research into innovation in Queensland’s areas of strengths
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Continue to support Tower Holdings and Iwasaki Sangyo company in their quest to construct major integrated resort developments on the Capricorn Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef. • Support the CQUniversity in its quest to upgrade its research facilities. CQU purchased the former CSIRO laboratories about 18 months ago; one half of the labs are world class, refurbished laboratories, with the second half derelict and in major need of refurbishment. In order to fund this project, the CQU needs to sell off surplus land, but requires state government approval to do so. Great 20 Keppel Island
• Tourism – two major integrated resort developments planned for the Capricorn Coast;- Tower Holding’s Great Keppel Island Resort development and Iwasaki Sangyo Pty Ltd Capricorn Integrated Resort, can lead the way in environmental innovation, whilst offering growth and employment opportunities. The Great Keppel Island Resort revitalisation includes: - 575 hectare environmental protection precinct (45% of the island) to be rehabilitated and protected in perpetuity - Buffer zones to protect habitats and provide fauna corridors - 24,000 solar panels to be installed to meet the resort’s energy needs - Re-use of dredge material from the marina in geo-textile tubes for construction of a breakwater - 100% recycling of wastewater with no ocean outfall Best practice features of the resort include: - 250 room hotel at Fisherman’s Beach with restaurants and conference facilities - 250 berth marina at Putney Beach and yacht club - Greg Norman designed golf course, an essential part of the resort’s wastewater re-use - 750 eco-resort villas with sustainable building design such as rooftop solar panels and water tanks - 150 eco-resort apartments This development will be the first major new tourism project within the Great Barrier Reef in 25 years and will be constructed over a 12 year period. The Capricorn Integrated Resort (Iwasaki Sangyo Pty Ltd) proposal includes a $600 million 1500 hectare integrated resort community. The main features will be: - 300 room, five-star resort including a golf course - Wagyu cattle farm – for farm stays, cattle and sheep farming and educational activities - Residential community of 8000 dwellings and village centre - Conservation precinct
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
- Airstrip – for tourism, charter flights and a potential fly-in, fly-out hub - Refurbishment of the existing 331 room Mercure Capricorn Resort (independent of EIS process) This development will create 19,000 jobs over approximately 20 years (8,500 on-site; 10,500 off-site) during construction, as well as 2,160 operational jobs. • Agriculture - CQUniversity’s CQIRP facility (Central Qld Innovation and Research Precinct), a world class cattle handling and research laboratory that is driving CQUniversity’s strengths in Agriculture Research and Development. CQUniversity was the only Queensland University to be ranked at “Above World Class” (a score of the maximum 5) in the Commonwealth’s latest ERA research rankings in the field of agriculture (a research league table by which all universities are ranked). CQU is the leader in Agriculture research in Qld, and the recently acquired CQIRP facility (formerly CSIRO laboratories) will only boost this strength & output further. • Construction; We have a local TAFE that is fantastic at delivering vocational trades and qualifications in construction, but the potential for much greater research and innovation in this space will be unlocked by the merger of CQ TAFE and CQ University. The community and construction industry will benefit from one institution which has both Vocational Education & Training-informed research, and researchinformed Vocational Education & Training. The full potential of this will occur with targeted support for the new dual sector institution. • Resources; CQUniversity’s research and undergraduate studies that contribute to the prosperity of this sector are immense; rail research, fatigue and human factors research and engineering research are all world class, plus our engineering/environmental science graduates (along with other vital industry professionals like accountants, HR managers, chemists etc…) all help drive the industry. The real potential will be unlocked by the merger when the higher degree and Vocational Education and Training streams are combined; producing graduates skilled from the ‘best of both worlds’. Eg; Electrical Engineering graduates with TAFE trade electrical qualifications built into their degrees, or TAFE diesel fitting graduates who have had access to first rate university engineering research laboratories throughout their training. 21
Innovation
• The Capricorn Coast/Livingstone Shire is perfectly positioned to encourage investment to support the four pillars of the Queensland economy in Tourism, Agriculture, Construction and Resources.
Centres of Excellence
9. Centres of excellence attracting human capital and driving innovation
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Centres of Excellence
• The Great Keppel Island Resort Revitalisation plans include a Research Centre on the island which would be operated by CQUniversity. This provides a major opportunity to drive innovation in Great Barrier Reef research, whilst enhancing the destination’s tourism industry. • CQUniversity’ CQIRP facility is the community’s ‘ideas factory’; engaging with local industry to research and develop innovations that help the great region reach its full potential. It is Central Queensland’s designated innovation and research workshop, and the university’s engagement with the community is driving this successful model. • CQUniversity’s research areas of excellence attract world-leading experts in their chosen field; whether heavy-industrial rail application research driving our supply-chain efficiency for the resource sector, or leading resource economists analysing trends and forecasts for the mining sector, leading mental health nursing researchers growing the next generation of local health workers, or leading agronomists informing best practice for the Northern Australia beef herd. • Construction, Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Education & Training and the Mining sectors are the top 5 industries by employment in the Livingstone Shire. This reflects the large number of professionals living on the Capricorn Coast and north of Rockhampton, who are working in industries which drive innovation in our greater region. • Byfield State Forest is located 34 km north of Yeppoon. The area has about 12,000 ha of exotic pine plantation and 17,000 ha of native forest. Current production is 75,000 cubic metres per annum (2012). Timber Milling Services (TMS) has entered into a Contract with Hancock International to mill timber (initially Pine) from two forest locations in Central Queensland, namely Byfied and Monto – the milling operation is projected to extend beyond 20 years. TMS will utilise the latest technology in its milling and treatment systems. As a means of utilising excess waste (excess timber, bark, sawdust etc) TMS is investigating the incorporation of a Biomass Generation System to initially supply approximately 3 megawatts of power for the Milling Operation.
CAPRICORN COAST & LIVINGSTONE REGION
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Support our centres of excellence to become national and international leaders • Capatalise on our health, education, agriculture and tourism sectors to attract new residents and drive innovation • Support the innovative investigations by TMS to utilise excess waste from timber milling operation
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Education Partnerships
10. An education model that leverages community and industry partnerships.
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• A number of tourism facilities on the Capricorn Coast and within the Livingstone Shire are pro-actively engaged in providing hands on educational learning opportunities. These include land and water based activities for students at the Capricorn Caves, Coolwaters Holiday Village, Koorana Crocodile Farm, Byfield operators, Great Keppel Island Holiday Village and GKI Hideaway.
Education Partnerships
• The Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (SBMTA), is 3,177 square kilometres in size, and is situated at the northern end of the Capricorn Coast/Livingstone Shire. The SBMTA exercises frequently involve in excess of 30,000 troops through ongoing Australian military training activities, annual military training activities of the Singaporean Armed Forces and biennial training exercises with the US Military. Over 17,000 foreign troops are involved biannually, with rest and relaxation as well as physical training and PR activities undertaken on the Capricorn Coast and in Rockhampton.
Our QLD Plan Priorities • Support and encourage all levels of education, from primary school to higher education in the shire to increase partnership opportunities with industry, particularly in tourism (and eco-tourism), the resources sector, agriculture and trades in construction.
• The North Keppel Island Education facility and the Qld Parks and Wildlife Service also offer hands on educational experiences for students. • The CQUniversity works very closely with industries and communities to deliver mutual benefits. CQUniversity is seen as very reactive to community and industry demand, responding to particular skills shortages and industry knowledge gaps quickly through introducing new courses and material, modifying existing offerings, or directing research and resources at areas of need. The region will be the leader in defining how new education models can help us reach our full potential.
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Bibliography
Capricorn Enterprise 2014, Capricorn Coast Profile
Bibliography
Capricorn Enterprise December 2013, Queensland Plan – Rockhampton Region – We Can submission CQUniversity Centre for Environmental Management May 2013, Economic Assessment of a northern access road; Bruce Highway to Yeppoon McMurtrie Consulting Engineers June 2013, Capricorn Coast – Bruce Highway Road Link Feasibility Study prepared for Yeppoon Northern Bypass Road Steering Committee Architectus, Arup, Alderson & Associates Landscape Architects, Buckley Vann & RLB March 2011, Rockhampton Regional Council Yeppoon Foreshore Redevelopment Master Plan Draft Report COMPLETE Urban and Rockhampton Regional Council January 2010, Barmaryee Multisports Precinct Master Plan Report Livingstone Shire Council 2008, Yeppoon Town Hall Redevelopment Civic Centre Master Plan Tourism Queensland and Capricorn Enterprise, Capricorn Region Destination Tourism Strategy 2012 -2016. Tourism Queensland and Capricorn Tourism, Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan (CQTOP) 2009 - 2019 Livingstone Shire Council Causeway Lake file, summary document 1997 – 2006 (including CQUniversity reports; Field Data Analysis Jan 2005, Numerical Model Analysis August 2005, Assesment of sediment Quality June 2006) Hassell July 2007, Yeppoon Foreshore concept Plan (from Merv Anderson Park to Yeppoon Main Beach) Livingstone Shire Council August 2006, Capricorn Coast Integrated Transport Plan – proposed Emu Park Alternate Feeder Route Livingstone Shire Council 3 May 2006, LSC Planning Scheme Policy No. 14 – Pathways Strategic Leisure Pty Ltd and Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation 2006, Livingstone Shire Council Cooee Bay Sports Complex Master Plan SGS Economics and Planning September 2004, Livingstone Facilities Plan, Sport and Recreation Volume 1
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Hassell 10 December 2003, Master Plan Report for Emu Park Town Centre Hassell July 2003, Yeppoon Railyards/Commercial Precinct Concept Final Report
Bibliography
Hassell July 2003, Capricorn Coast Integrated Development Proposal Hassell in association with Maunsell Australia March 2003, Emu Park Town Centre Concept Plan Gutteridge Haskins & Davey Pty Ltd August 2002, Livingstone Shire Council Queensland Transport and Department of Main Roads, Yeppoon Transport Options Study – Stage 2 Report Amana Pty Ltd 2002, Livingstone Shire Open Space and Recreation Plan Hassell in association with Gannon and Gannon, Maunsell Australia, The Hornery Institute December 2002, Yeppoon Civic Centre Precinct Gutteridge Haskins & Davey Pty Ltd August 2002, Livingstone Shire Council August 2001, Yeppoon Transport Options Study - Stage One Report John Price Design April 2001, Foreshore Revitalisation Main Beach Yeppoon Master Plan Report – Streetscape Consultancy Services “Livingstone for Lifestyle”
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For further information contact: Brett Bacon Director Community and Planning Services Livingstone Shire Council P: 07 4913 5000 or 1300 790 919 E: Brett.Bacon@livingstone.qld.gov.au W: www.livingstone.qld.gov.au
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Mary Carroll Chief Executive Officer Capricorn Enterprise P: 07 4927 2055 E: marycarroll@capricornenterprise.com.au W: capricornenterprise.com.au