Central Queensland

It has been many years, 12 in fact, since I spent any significant time on business in Rockhampton. In those days as a representative of a large Australian computer company Rockhampton was a city of opportunity providing access to the mining towns as well as exposure to the success of the landowners. As I recall most of our business came from 1) Central Qld Uni 2) The local electricity board and 3)TAFE.

A quick survey of the town today showed a main retail street that must be going financially backwards. Most of the retail trade has now moved to the airconditioned shopping centres.

The town does however seem to be prospering. The airport was yesterday voted the best regional airport in Australia. The increased frequency of flights during the day now with three airlines has opened up travel opportunities never previously possible.

The Singapore air force is obvious in their presence using Rockhampton as a base for an exercise at the Shoalwater Bay training area.

With a population of 60,000 people, proximity to the mining towns and convenient access to the industrial Gladstone, Rockhampton is still very much a services economy. The major buyers in town still appear to be CQU & TAFE with the services economy providing the bulk of the economic turnover.

The two unremarkable coffees I suffered today reinforce my perception that this City is open to a competent local roaster. No - Gilkatho isn't opening here...but there is certainly opportunity for the right operator.