Food Manufacturing & Exports

In Rockhampton we don't just farm beef and grow world-class produce, we also host a number of critical food manufacturing facilities and act as a key logistical depot for regional Queensland.

Teys Australia and JBS Rockhampton operate export focused abattoirs on our doorstep which are easily accessed by rail, road, or a combination of both. Together, they have the capacity to process more than 2,500 head of cattle a day, sending top quality Australian beef to international markets including the USA and Asia.

Agricultural businesses also utilise the international-standard Rockhampton Airport to safely export fresh produce to Asian markets.

Export Connectivity

Rockhampton is well connected to international and domestic markets via our extensive highway networks, rail lines and intermodal terminals, and international standard airport.

Road Freight

The Bruce, Capricorn, Burnett and Leichhardt Highways all pass through the Rockhampton Region, offering exporters unrivalled access to markets in Australia and abroad. 

Road upgrades over the last decade have significantly improved flood immunity and capacity for the Bruce Highway, while construction continues on the $1.9 billion Rockhampton Ring Road which will improve connectivity to the Region's major industrial areas and reduce travel time and congestion through Rockhampton City.

Rail Freight

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.

Air Freight

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.

Local agricultural operators are already utilising direct commercial flights to Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns to move produce. Advance Rockhampton and Rockhampton Regional Council continue to advocate for the construction of an integrated freight hub with cold storage at Rockhampton Airport to generate and support growth in international exports.

Industrial Areas

Industrial areas in Gracemere (south of Rockhampton) and Parkhurst (on the northern boundary) are regional scale industrial areas at key locations, able 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 sits at the northern end of the Rockhampton Ring Road which is currently under construction.

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 and 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. 

contact advance rockhampton

Advance Rockhampton Economic Development team

Contact the Advance Rockhampton team to discuss investment opportunities in food manufacturing, exports and logistics.

Phone: + 61 7 4936 8282
Email: advancerockhampton@rrc.qld.gov.au