VISITOR ECONOMY & LIVEABILITY
WORKFORCE ATTRACTION AND HOUSING CAMPAIGN Townsville North Queensland currently has a record low and declining unemployment rate of 2.3%. With more than $60 billion worth of projects in the regions pipeline until 2032, workforce attraction, housing and investment will be critical to securing the future of the region and supporting population growth. As identified in the North Queensland Workforce Strategy, there is a demand for 40,000 additional jobs in the region within the next decade, a target which has been widely supported. The jobs growth in Townsville North Queensland will happen in these key areas: Health, energy, water, agriculture and mining. The State Government’s recent $5 billion announcement to acquire and build CopperString 2032 means Townsville North Queensland will be on the forefront and global leaders in the green energy transition. To ensure we are training the skills for tomorrow and building the population base that can support the realisation of the region’s green energy transition, migration (national and international) will be required. Despite the immense opportunities within the region, Townsville’s net migration holds only 2% share of the national market. Population growth has been stable over the past few decades, and Townsville’s position as the centre of Australia’s
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TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND
energy transition, critical minerals processing and affordable lifestyle needs to be brought to the forefront. Australia’s leading demographer Bernard Salt’s recent research into Townsville’s workforce opportunities identified that the greatest opportunity for regional migration sits within two key market segments: 1.
Under 30’s and millennials seeking meaningful career opportunities, who are able and ready to move to more affordable locations.
2.
Lifestyle Seekers aged 50+ who are empty nesters chasing a regional relocation, wanting to sell property in metropolitan markets to purchase in more affordable locations and fast track retirement.
Through Townsville Enterprise’s membership survey, it was identified that the greatest challenges for the region are accessibility, migration and population growth, awareness, and housing. That’s why we have put together a three phased action plan to combat these challenges and unlock the region’s full economic potential. An action plan which will be delivered by Townsville Enterprise through State Government support and backed by local industry partners.
State Funding
Federal Funding
State and/or Federal
Funding N/A
