Food Manufacturing

Catering for large scale manufacturing

In Central Queensland, all roads lead to Rockhampton which sees the transportation of food coming through the Region which provides opportunities for food manufacturing and value adding processes.

• Recent upgrades to the Bruce Highway immediately south of Rockhampton has significantly improved the flood immunity and capacity of the highway. Upgrades to the Bruce Highway and northern access into Rockhampton has commenced and final planning is underway for a third Fitzroy River crossing and Rockhampton Ring Road. In total, over $1 billion is being spent to improve transport and logistics.
• The North Coast Rail Line runs through Rockhampton providing access to both freight and passenger services north and south of Rockhampton. Container freight volumes handled in Rockhampton are in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) per annum. There are two intermodal rail container terminals in Rockhampton operated by Aurizon and Pacific National.
• Rockhampton Airport is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council. The Airport’s 2,628 metre high strength main runway is the third longest in Queensland and its airside infrastructure is capable of supporting large civil aircraft including A380 and Antonov 124-100. The Airport is currently serviced by three airlines operating Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) services with direct flights to Brisbane (approx. 1 hour flight time), Townsville, Mackay, Gold Coast and indirect services to Cairns. Passenger numbers at the Rockhampton Airport have been steady and have averaged 600,000 passengers per annum over the past 10 years. The Airport Terminal was redeveloped in 2008 and has the ability to process 1.6 million passengers per annum.

Rockhampton Region hosts two regional scale industrial areas at key locations in Parkhurst and Gracemere suitable to cater for large scale food manufacturing.

Parkhurst

The Parkhurst Industrial Area (PIA) is located in North Rockhampton and is in close proximity to the Bruce Highway and North Coast Rail Line which form the backbone of Queensland road and rail networks. The PIA hosts a mix of heavy, medium and light industry and is ideally positioned to capitalise on the proposed Rockhampton Ring Road once constructed.

Gracemere

The Gracemere Industrial Area (GIA) is located a short distance to the south-west of Rockhampton with good access to the Bruce and Capricorn Highways. The GIA has direct access to the Capricorn Highway and Type 1 Road Train Route. The GIA is home to a number of existing transport operators including general, specialist and livestock freighters. Gracemere Industrial Area hosts a number of related service industries and has a 24/7 unmanned fuel station. Fully serviced and competitively priced land is available for purchase and several local developers will consider construct and lease arrangements.