Invest in the Western Downs
With the aim of placing the Western Downs on the forefront of a changing world, Council is committed to enhancing liveability, embracing innovative opportunities and encouraging proactive and future-fit developments in our region - ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy living, working, studying and playing here for decades to come.
Our region has long been built on the economic pillars of agriculture and intensive agriculture, but in more recent years the growth of our manufacturing and energy sectors have developed to bolster our strong regional economy. The area has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade, demonstrated by a strong increase in Gross Regional Product.
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) has recently released the bi-annual Western Downs Development Status Report(PDF, 12MB). This report equips the community and prospective investors with valuable insights into known developments in the Western Downs.
Why do business here?
Built on agriculture and thriving in the intensive agriculture, energy and manufacturing industries, Western Downs Regional Council is focused on making our region a great place to live, work, visit and invest.
Western Downs is strategically located between the east coast and the west, with connectivity to national and international export markets such as Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and the Port of Brisbane. The region allows industrial proximity to Inland Rail and is centrally located to the Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (centre of the energy grid).
The region is truly connected to the rest of Australia, serviced by three major arterials – The Leichhardt, Moonie and Warrego Highways. Getting here by car is now even easier with the opening of the Toowoomba Bypass.
We pride ourselves on being a business-friendly Council. We’re strategic, responsive and highly motivated by the economic and social development of the Western Downs, because we know where innovation flows, investors and developers go. We want everyone to know that the Western Downs is open for business, with an economy that’s as strong as it is diverse. To do this, we ensure we don’t just focus inwards, but outwards, to attract new investment and development opportunities.
Council is committed to a proactive approach to economic growth through an award-winning planning scheme geared towards development throughout the region. This means a fast approvals process for major projects, competitive application fees and support throughout the region.
Council's Economic Development team offers assistance and support to our region's businesses. Contact us and one of our team will be in touch to discuss the opportunities and benefits of doing business and developing industry in the Western Downs.
As part of our strategy to enable business development, we work together with our strategic partners to achieve economic growth, workforce capability and small business success.
We are proactive in developing and maintaining strong relationships with key partners, including: local Chambers of Commerce, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), Regional Development Australia Darling Downs South West (RDA DDSW), Regional Australia Institute (RAI), and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
Western Downs Regional Council has one of Queensland’s most progressive Planning Schemes, which is committed to attracting and enabling development as well as ensuring available land is zoned appropriately for low, medium and high impact industries.
There are ample land development opportunities to expand your business, supported by a strong connectivity to national and international markets, key infrastructure, and with significant lower acquisition costs compared to nearby metropolitan areas.
Council’s interactive mapping can assist to identify suitable land for a new development, offering a range of features including zoning and overlay mapping such as flooding.
The Property Reports enables convenient access to development information for a property within the Western Downs region.
Businesses operating in the Western Downs have access to a highly skilled and competent workforce, with positive team cultures and high workforce retention rates, supported by increased educational opportunities.
The resident workforce in the Western Downs has major specialisations in Engineering and Related Technologies, Agriculture and Environmental related studies, and education, demonstrated by the percentage of people holding tertiary qualifications above Queensland average.
Trade Training Centres are located at Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles, enabling high school students a skills link with the region's industries. Additionally, TAFE Queensland has industry-standard facilities in both Chinchilla and Dalby.
Chinchilla Clinical Training Centre is also currently under development, with aims to teach the next generation of regional health care professionals.
To assist local businesses with workforce attraction and recruitment, as well as to promote the region for migration and population growth, Council has developed a suite of resources based on our region's narrative "It's the people that make it". These resources are free and available for businesses to use alongside their own branded promotional collateral.
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) has recently released the bi-annual Western Downs Development Status Report(PDF, 12MB) , to equip the community and prospective investors with valuable knowledge of known developments in the Western Downs.
Community and Lifestyle
When it comes to liveability, the Western Downs promises the triple benefits of affordability, accessibility and amenities. With no peak hour traffic or long commutes to work, our residents have time to enjoy public recreation facilities including six swimming pools, six skate parks and a multitude of new playgrounds and parklands within the region.
Living in the Western Downs is affordable compared to many parts of Queensland, with a strong offering of quality public and private secondary education and pathways into innovation focused industry.
It’s the locals, the businesses, event committees and community organisations that make the Western Downs a vibrant and attractive place to live and visit. Learn more about "It's the people that make it" campaign and how your business can be involved.
View the 'Establish Your Business in the Western Downs' Factsheet(PDF, 1MB).