Investment and Projects

The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Master Plan is a Queensland Government initiative aimed at revitalising the island as a premier tourism destination. Supported by a $30 million investment, the plan focuses on enhancing infrastucture, accessibility, and visitor experiences while ensuring sustainable growth.

Key Projects Underway:

• Arrivals Plaza & Amenities - A welcoming gateway to the island, featuring shaded seating, amenities, a multi-purpose tenancy space, and visitor information on local activities, wildlife, and trails. 
• Boardwalks Project - The project includes the investigation and design development of three distinct boardwalk sites, providing visitors with safe, environmentally sensitive pathways to explore the island’s unique coastal landscapes.
• Wastewater Treatment Upgrade - A key component of the island's revitalisation, providing essential infrastructure to support tourism and regional development. Scheduled for completion in later 2025, the new membrane bioreactor plant will deliver Class A effluent and initially service key tourism facilities and visitor amenities, with capacity for future expansion.
• Wayfinding & Interpretive Signage - The project ensures that visitors can easily locate and navigate to key attractions, amenities, and transport points while learning about the island’s unique cultural and natural heritage.

Read more about the Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Master Plan 2024 here

Currently occupied by its operations depot, Council’s long-term vision for the site is to relocate all components of the depot and use the land to create a destination retail location for hardware, home improvement and other complementary large-format retail uses to enhance the region’s retail sector and provide growth opportunities for new and expanding local businesses. The Homemaker Centre masterplan was established to enable this vision and is the first of its kind in Livingstone Shire. The scope of proposed improvements includes one large lot (2.625 hectares) made available for development of large format homemaker / retail businesses to build on the success of the Capricorn Coast Homemaker Centre which has created over 200 local jobs. The greater convenience and amenities provided for customers will reduce leakage and travel to Rockhampton, and in turn increase employment opportunities within the Livingstone local government area.

The Gateway is a 56-hectare master-planned Business and Industry Park, located between Yeppoon and Rockhampton, offering the most accessible and sought-after industrial lots in Central Queensland. The industrial park currently hosts a diverse array of businesses, including a brewery, bus depot, engineering firms, heavy machinery operators, waste removal services, and storage facilities, among others.

With stages 1 and 2A — encompassing 19 lots — having already flourished and found their new owners, The Gateway's trajectory is set to redefine industrial possibilities in the region. 

Stages 2B and 3 were completed in 2023, unveiling 11 lots along with advanced road infrastructure, poised to welcome both emerging and established businesses and industries to establish their presence in the vibrant Capricorn Coast community.

Planning is currently underway for progression of Stages 4 and 5, which will see the addition of 21 new lots created. 

The East West Connector project aims to ultimately provide the necessary transport link between Neils Road and the Keppel Bay Marina, in an effort to enhance connectivity across the Livingstone Shire. This vital infrastructure initiative will reduce travel times, increase road safety, and support local economic development by providing more efficient access to key areas, including business hubs, agricultural zones, tourist destinations, and residential communities. By delivering this project, Livingstone Shire Council is responding to the region's growth and transportation demands. The East West Connector will not only support current and future residents but also encourage investment in the region by improving logistical links, supporting tourism, and enhancing access to essential services. This project is part of the Council's broader commitment to ensuring sustainable and resilient infrastructure for the community.

St Vincent de Paul has now purchased the Eastern Precinct Site and will move forward with development plans, including a mix of housing and commercial space.

The vision for the precinct aligns with Yeppoon’s urgent need for diverse and affordable housing, with high-density residential apartments above ground-floor commercial and retail spaces. This development will increase population density, boost foot traffic, and drive local spending in the Yeppoon Town Centre. Due to the prominence of the site, Council and St Vincent de Paul are committed to delivering a high-quality, well-designed project that complements the broader CBD revitalisation.

Construction is underway to deliver a new 50m swimming pool and other facility upgrades for the Yeppoon Aquatic Centre situated at Cooee Bay. Supported by $13 million in Commonwealth Government funding under the Community Development Grants program, the enhanced design prioritises inclusivity, featuring wheelchair access, modern amenities, and a Changing Places all accessibility changeroom. The upgraded filtration system and a redesigned community-friendly layout ensure a premier facility for recreation, sport, and community engagement.

The MEAT Capricorn Project is progressing as Livingstone Shire Council, in partnership with Regionality Pty Ltd, Advance Rockhampton, and Central Queensland University, works to assess the feasibility of a small-scale, multi-species abattoir in Central Queensland. This initiative aims to provide local farmers with processing facilities, support food service providers with regionally sources meat products, and create a niche market for value-added local meats.

As part of the project, an initial scoping study has been conducted, covering a broad geographic area including Livingstone Shire, Rockhampton, Isaac, Central Highlands, Banana, and Gladstone Councils. This study was shaped by feedback from the 'Meating the Market' forum held in May 2023, where stakeholders highlighted the demand for local processing of boutique cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and deer.

A recording of an online information session held in April 2024 is available here, with the full results and recommendations of the scoping study set to be released soon.

This project is funded by the Australian Government.