Northern economic triangle

The Northern Economic Triangle (NET) is a commitment by the Queensland Government to foster sustainable economic, social and community growth through the emergence of Mount Isa, Townsville and Bowen as a triangle of mining, mineral processing and industrial development.

The NET aims to ensure the provision of critical infrastructure that underpins private sector investment in mining, minerals processing and industrial development over the next half century. The NET integrates the activities of each economic centre through the development of strategies to:

  • support stronger regional linkages
  • enhance mining and mineral processing
  • enhance industrial development.

The NET is a strategic response by the Queensland Government to:

  • raise the regional and international profile of north-west and north Queensland
  • expand mining and mineral processing operations to supply world markets
  • recognise the global boom in demand for minerals and metals
  • recognise opportunities for development presented by large international companies seeking locations for value-adding projects on the east coast of Queensland
  • promote collaborative solutions for the provision of critical infrastructure and opportunities for private sector investment.

The NET Infrastructure Plan 2007-2012 was released by the government on 3 August 2007. Following the release of the Infrastructure Plan the Northern Economic Triangle Taskforce has progressed a number of priority actions which are highlighted in the:

The Queensland Government, through the NET initiative, has partnered with the Queensland Resources Council to produce a review of North West Queensland Energy Delivery (the Sims Review). The review and its related implementation is set out in the North West Queensland Energy Delivery - Queensland Government facilitation.

The Northern Economic Triangle incorporates other plans, one of which is the Townsville City Port Strategic Plan.

The Northern Economic Triangle Taskforce promotes a collaborative approach through active participation with government, industry, project proponents and the community.

A cornerstone of the NET Infrastructure Plan is the establishment of the Bowen Abbot Point region, as a major new industrial hub for large scale industries. The Bowen-Abbot Point community consultation group has been developed to facilitate community consultation on industrial development and infrastructure projects in the region. A foundation for Bowen's future - infrastructure and planning update provides the latest information about projects in the Bowen region.

The department, in partnership with the Whitsunday Regional Council commissioned the Bowen Abbot Point Accommodation and Community Infrastructure study (BAPACI) (PDF, 4.83 MB), which was finalised in April 2010. The purpose of the BAPACI study was to examine the accommodation and community infrastructure needs in the region and to better understand options for responding to these issues given the potential population growth associated with future industrial development. An implementation overview (PDF, 514 KB) was also produced to outline the key areas of the study.