Blueprint sets path for a new industry

Tapping into a share of an emerging global industry estimated by the CSIRO to be worth some $400 billion by 2040, is the driver behind the release of the Greater Whitsunday Biomanufacturing Blueprint 1.0 by the Greater Whitsunday Allilance (GW3).

Biomanufacturing refers to the development and manufacturing of products from plant based, organic or waste resources rather than fossil fuels.

Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said the Greater Whitsunday region has been leading an intensive campaign to establish this emerging industry in the region since 2018.

“Mackay has long been recognised as an ideal location to lead a domestic biomanufacturing sector due to our abundance of feed stocks, sophisticated logistics network of roads, ports and rail as well as a highly skilled, technical workforce. 

“When the Queensland Government released the Queensland Biofutures 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan in 2016, our focus became laser-sharp on establishing a biofutures sector in the region and since 2018, we have had a regional working group committed to achieving that goal,” Ms Porter said.

Ms Porter said that over the last six years, the group has led a range of research and evidence building activities to prove out the opportunity.

“In 2023, the Biofutures Leaders Group, comprising of regional representatives from government, industry and business commenced preparation of a region-specific Greater Whitsunday Biomanufacturing Blueprint 1.0 to act as a guide to establishing a sector locally.

“Today’s announcement of a State Development Area here in Mackay, covering two sites including Racecourse Mill and Rosella, is another positive step forward in seeing this vision come to life.”

Ms Porter said the Blueprint lists three key strategies and range of intensive actions required to activate a biomanufacturing sector in the region.  It is available here.

“Whilst our region is leading the charge to establish a biomanufacturing sector in Australia, we must continue to act swiftly to make the most of this competitive advantage. 

“We are actively working with a range of proponents who are interested in establishing commercial operations right here in Mackay and I am very excited that in the future, the Greater Whitsunday region will be home to a leading global biomanufacturing precinct.”

Greater Whitsunday Alliance is the region’s peak, independent economic development body committed to making the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region strong for generations.