Socio-Economic Regional Profile
Gulf Savannah Region of Queensland
Expanding Gulf Economy
From a situation in the 1960s when cattle production was the only significant industry in the Gulf, the region has expanded the value of its productivity.
The region is typically serviced by small businesses with the most significant
employer in each of the towns being the local shire council. A growing
industry is now tourism although primary industry remains the other major
industry along with mining and fishing.
The cattle industry in 2001 was worth in the order of $60 – 70 million in turn-off. The fishing industry is now valued at around $100 million p.a. The expanding tourism industry is worth in excess of about $20-30 million p.a. and increasing. Mining, a long term industry in the region produces approximately $100 million p.a.
In broad terms the Gulf has seen both economic and population growth over the past 20 years, with population growth approaching 2% per annum.
Karumba Port has grown from a small, eccentric fishing village to a port, not only providing a service base for a major fishing industry but also a growing export centre. Exports include zinc/lead, live cattle and 46,000 tonnes of coastal shipping. Karumba has also grown as a mecca for tourists, capitalising on the natural assets of the area.
Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the region with domestic visitors currently forming the basis of the market. Enormous opportunities exist to expand the market to international visitors, self drive and particularly backpackers. Key to the sustainability of the tourism industry is diversification of the market and provision of infrastructure and resources.
There are four underlying factors assisting the growth of the region. An expanding global economy has opened up new markets in south east Asia. Improved transport and communication infrastructure has simplified and facilitated business operations and development. Technology is making life a lot easier and improving the products produced for better returns. And finally, success breeds success. An area starts to build on its achievements and that is certainly a factor in Gulf regional growth.
Services
Health Care
Health services available in the Gulf Savannah region include a hospital at Normanton with a resident doctor and links to both Cairns and Mt Isa Base Hospitals and hospitals with Directors of Nursing in Croydon and Georgetown, community health clinics and services in Karumba, Forsayth, Mt Surprise plus visiting specialists and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Further health services, including youth and dental services, are available in Atherton (3 hours drive from Georgetown, 4.5 hours drive from Croydon, and 6 hours drive from Normanton).
An aged care facility, Kukatja Place, exists in Normanton accommodating 20 plus residents from the region.
Education and Training
Tertiary education is available at the Lower Gulf College of TAFE, a campus of the Mount Isa Institute of TAFE. The college is located in Normanton, but also offers courses out of other towns in the region including Croydon and Karumba. The TAFE also offers courses through on-line correspondence.
Secondary education is available at one high school in the region (Normanton) and primary education is available from the region’s six primary schools. Distance education is also available, co-ordinating bases are located in Mt Isa, and Cairns.
Financial
Full banking services are available in the region from Westpac (Normanton), and partial banking services are available from the Commonwealth bank and various credit unions.
Eftpos facilities are available at stores in all centres.
Government
Carpentaria, Croydon and Etheridge Shires are located in the Federal electorate of Kennedy. Carpentaria Shire crosses the Queensland state electorates of Mt Isa and Cook and both Croydon Shire and Etheridge Shires are in the Queensland state electorate of Charters Towers.
Carpentaria Shire has 9 serving councillors, Croydon Shire has 5 and Etheridge Shire has 7 serving councillors. Next elections for all Shires will be held in 2008.
Lifestyle
The Gulf Savannah region offers lifestyle options as varied as
the diverse natural scenery that surrounds it.
The communities of the Gulf Savannah are renowned for their welcoming attitude and community spirit. A large number of community associations operate throughout the region, catering to all tastes and needs. The communities of the Gulf Savannah also put on a number of cultural events throughout the year including Rodeos, the Oak Park races, and the Bushmans Ball and the Croydon Poddy Dodgers Music Festival.
A number of licensed restaurants operate throughout the region,
catering to a variety of tastes. Seafood is a particular specialty
in the Gulf Savannah region, provided from the rich catches made daily
in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Sports facilities are also available in the region, including swimming pools in all major centres, golf courses, tennis courts and cricket grounds. Many of the regional facilities have installed all weather lighting to enable night sports in the cooler part of the day. The region also boasts a large number of public picnic areas and BBQ facilities amongst some of the most naturally beautiful areas in Queensland. Fishing is a favourite pastime for many local residents.
Supplies of good drinking water have always been a priority for the Gulf Savannah region. Prior to 1996 Croydon mainly obtained its town’s water supply through bores, which with time were becoming dry. This gave Croydon a huge incentive to construct a dam, which would be able to supply the township with a reliable quantity and quality of water.
This dam is known today as Lake Belmore and is a crocodile free fresh water lake. Croydon Shire along with many neighbouring communities use this lovely facility for boating, skiing and swimming and it is fast becoming a tourist attraction. With the help of the Croydon Fishing and Boating Club, Lake Belmore is stocked with fingerlings of barramundi, sooty grunter and red claw. This makes Lake Belmore a great place for fishing. Facilities include electric BBQ’s, shelter area, amenities, showers and a play structure for the children.
Labour Force
There are an estimated 1,843 people employed in the Carpentaria Shire, 135 people employed in the Croydon Shire and 694 people employed in Etheridge Shire. The average taxable income for individuals in Carpentaria Shire is $35,998 per annum, in Croydon Shire $32,792 per annum, and for Etheridge Shire $32,792 per annum. In comparison, Queensland and Australian average wages are $37,646 and $39,258 per annum respectively.
The number of unemployed across the region is 5% in Carpentaria, 4% in Croydon and 3% in Etheridge. This group provides a source of unskilled labour. There also exists the capacity to train unemployed people through existing services.
Immigration potential
GSD is a Regional Certifying Body representative for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. While unemployment is at a high level, the towns of the Gulf Savannah would benefit from an injection of new expertise as an impetus to small business and light industry to diversify and create employment opportunities.
With good prospects for further mining development in the north west region, this is one area that would attract skilled and specialist labour. The tourism industry is the most likely area where immigration and temporary entry programs will have an impact.
An increasing number of backpackers are being attracted to the area. They find employment in the hospitality industry and provide an invaluable source of labour during the peak tourism season, when the local population is unable to keep up with demand.
Working holidays could provide an avenue for expansion of skilled services in the region, in areas such as medicine, nursing, teaching, mechanical and auto services, tourism etc. While it is very difficult to attract professional people to the remote regions on a permanent basis, working visas and working holidays could fill a gap.
Investment and Development Opportunities
Emerging Economic Development Opportunities
The Gulf Savannah region is strategically located to take advantage of a range of economic development opportunities.
The area is blessed with large natural deposits of Zinc. These large reserves, and the area’s close proximity to the export channel of the Arafura Sea, present opportunities for mining companies to move into the region.
Arable grazing land is also abundant in the Gulf Savannah region. The cattle industry thrives in the Gulf region, and significant opportunities exist for its further expansion. The local industry, exporting out of the port of Karumba, services markets in Asia and North Africa.
Tourism is a major growth industry for the region. The Gulf Savannah region caters to a wide variety of tourist tastes, being blessed with spectacular natural landmarks, historic country towns and goldfields, scenic rail lines, including the ‘Gulflander’ and ‘Savannahlander’ services, and access to some of the best fishing in the world in the region’s rivers and, of course, the Gulf.
A major tourism asset is the Savannah Way Themed Adventure Drive which links Cairns and Broome and passes through spectacular savannah country, historic towns and rugged landscapes. There are opportunities for tour operators and investors to take advantage of these resources and establish themselves in the region.
Finally, economic planners in the Gulf Savannah region, including the three shire councils and the Gulf Savannah Development Board, are committed to the further development of the region. These bodies act in a cooperative manner and show a welcoming attitude to investment. The administrations of the Gulf Savannah region are committed to developing future investment opportunities in the region.
Overview of Future Growth Patterns
Like many less well developed regions, the Gulf Savannah presents many opportunities for infrastructure and niche developments. Opportunities exist in many areas some of these being importing and exporting, mining, accommodation and tourist development, infrastructure development, aquaculture, agriculture and forestry.
The potential also exists for the establishment of joint ventures between local indigenous interests and non-indigenous investors in areas such as alternative land use, property management, crocodile farming, aquaculture, tourism/eco-tourism, hospitality services, transport. Public Private Partnerships may also have a place in provision of large scale infrastructure and regional services.
Key Points
- The Gulf Savannah region’s industry strengths lie in agriculture and mining.
- The port of Karumba is a major export channel for zinc and livestock.
- Tourism has become a growth industry in the Gulf Savannah, taking advantage of the region’s natural beauty and rich history. Tourism is set to out pace the traditional sources of revenue for the region.
- The region is pro-actively developing its economy, and is supportive of future investment in the area.
- The Gulf Savannah region offers relaxed and diverse lifestyle opportunities.
