Invest in the Western Downs

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. 

Stay up to date with the latest in business and economic development news and opportunities in the Western Downs. Subscribe to Council's Business in Western Downs eNewsletter. 

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.