Gladstone
Gladstone, located on the shores of Queensland’s busiest harbour and centrally located between the Surat and Bowen Basin, has become one of the most diversified industrial town in the nation. The Gladstone region is home to two of the world's largest alumina refineries and Queensland's largest multi-commodity port. Since the 1960’s, the Gladstone Region has been recognised as a major industrial precinct, with a natural deep-water harbour, significant port, and cargo handling facilities, underpinned by world-class engineering, construction, process, and manufacturing sectors. The Gladstone Region is truly unique with its contrasting features of industry, nature, and conservation.
A gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the region is benefiting from development in international and domestic tourism, signifying growth in the diversity of the local economy. In 2016, the city of Gladstone welcomed the domestic cruise market to the region with P&O Cruises releasing domestic cruise itineraries showcasing the Southern Great Barrier Reef experience. The major infrastructure projects under construction in Gladstone continue to create new jobs, and the demand for the mining sector has increased long-term employment opportunities.
The Gladstone Region has an estimated annual economic output of $21.4 billion. This area is characterised by a diverse economy, with the manufacturing industry standing out as the largest sector. Manufacturing contributes around 46% to the region’s overall economic activity, playing a pivotal role in job creation and industrial development.
GLADSTONE - THE ENGINE ROOM OF INDUSTRY
Queensland Alumina Ltd One of the world’s largest alumina refineries
Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun First greenfield refinery to be constructed in Australia.
Boyne Smelters Ltd Australia’s largest aluminium smelter
Cement Australia Gladstone The largest cement plant in Australia
Orica Australia One of the world’s leading mining and infrastructure solutions providers.
NRG Gladstone Power Station Queensland’s largest Power Station
Anglo Coal Australia Queensland’s leading domestic coal producer
Peabody Energy’s Baralaba Fifth-largest coal producer in Australia.
CS Energy Generates electricity to the regional industry and the national electricity grid.
SunWater Queensland’s largest bulk water infrastructure developer
Why Gladstone?
Gladstone is one of regional Queensland’s strongest housing markets and has had significant home value growth. The region is welcoming plenty of new residents with predictions that the population will expand to over 75,000 by 2041. The residential vacancy rate is low and median weekly rent continues to increase due to a lack of supply paired with high demand. Gladstone is a powerhouse of the Australian industry with billions worth of projects either under construction, about to start, or recently completed. Continuing demand from within the mining sector and the new renewable industry has fueled greater opportunities for long‐term employment in Gladstone.
View Gladstone Council’s Strategic Priorities for 2024/25
The Gladstone rental market continues to grow, the median rental rate for 4 bedrooms homes is $580
per week as per RTA data for the Jan-March 2026 quarter.
Infrastructure
Proposed Renewable Energy Industrial Precinct $13 Billion
H2 Hub Green Hydrogen Export $4.7 Billion
Green Hydrogen Export $4.2 Billion
Proposed Big-G Project $2.3 Billion
Proposed Wooderson Solar-Battery Hybrid Project $2 Billion
Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline $983 Million
Port of Gladstone Gatcombe & Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project $760 Million
Solar Green Hydrogen Plant $500 Million
High Purity Alumina Plant $300 Million
Hydrogen Pilot Plant $111.1 Million
Planned Byellee Waters Golf Project $60 Million
Harvey Road Sports and Events Precinct $50.5 Million
Gladstone Coal Exporters Sports Complex $31.25 Million
Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre $25.6 Million
Philip Street Communities & Family Precinct $22.4 Million
Latest Gladstone News
Gladstone’s Hospital Expansion
A newly proposed $1.9 Billion Wooderson Solar Farm for Gladstone
Project Halogen proposed for Gladstone
Queensland suburbs where home prices have doubled
Construction commences on the world’s largest high purity alumina facility in Gladstone
The QLD Government partners with Rio Tinto to secure future jobs
The $983 million Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline reaches halfway
Construction starts on $500 million solar farm near Gladstone
Gladstone announced as second for highest-growth regional areas of net internal migration.
A $2 billion wind project announced for Queensland.
Why a world-leading renewables company chose Gladstone.
