- The Crisafulli Government is delivering the biggest boost to the Remote Area Board Program in around a decade, backing economic growth across Queensland's most remote communities.
- Five Remote Area Boards representing 38 Councils and covering 60 per cent of Queensland will share in up to $1 million this round for locally driven economic development projects.
- The investment is part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment to deliver for all Queenslanders, ensuring regional and remote communities are not left behind.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland's future and delivering better services through a stronger economy, after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering its biggest boost to the Remote Area Board Program in around a decade, backing locally driven projects to unlock economic opportunities, attract investment and create jobs across rural and remote Queensland.
The first projects under the boosted program will focus on growing tourism experiences and attracting new investment, supporting the economic ambitions of communities from the South West to the Torres Strait.
In the latest round of funding, up to $1 million is being shared across Queensland's five Remote Area Boards, representing 38 Councils and covering 60 per cent of the state.
Each Board now has access to up to $200,000 to deliver projects that respond to the unique economic opportunities and priorities of their regions.
Remote Area Board's helps s play a vital role in supporting communities with limited resources on strategic issues and economic priorities.
The successful Round One projects are:
- South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) – Drive Tourism Product Development: Develop a strategy for high-quality, region-wide recreational experiences to attract wider tourism.
- Mount Isa-Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ) – Investment Attraction Prospectus: Create comprehensive investment attraction materials, including a booklet and webpage, to showcase the region's strengths and opportunities to national and global markets, including in minerals processing, agriculture and biofuels.
- Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) – Cape York Tourism Information Strategy: Developing a comprehensive tourism information plan for Cape York and the Torres Strait and improved road signage to enhance travellor experiences and support tourism growth.
- Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) – Sealed for Success: Assemble a clear, structured investment pipeline for major sealing and upgrade works, aligning to State and regional planning frameworks while removing duplicative processes.
- Gulf Savannah Development (GSD) – Gulf Savannah Regional Investment Prospectus: Developing a strategic framework for attracting investment and driving economic and community development across the Gulf.
The Crisafulli Government has boosted the program to deliver a total of $3 million in funding over three years through to 2028, providing greater support for remote communities to pursue their economic priorities.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was building Queensland's future and backing the regions after a decade of decline under Labor, when rural and remote communities had not received the attention and investment they deserved.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering the biggest boost to this program in around a decade because we know Queensland's economic future depends on every part of our state," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"For too long under Labor, rural and remote Queensland was overlooked, but the Crisafulli Government is determined to make sure opportunity is not limited to Brisbane.
"We govern for all of Queensland, not just the south-east corner, and that means backing the local ideas, industries and businesses that will create jobs and drive economic growth in our most remote communities as well.
"These projects are about turning local ambition into real economic opportunities by attracting investment, growing tourism and showcasing everything these regions have to offer."
Round One projects are expected to be completed throughout 2027.
