Aerospace

Regional Aerospace Industry headquartered in Bowen (Gilmour Space)

$500M

total worth of the Australian space sector

$6.4 Billion

People employed in the Australian space industry

15,435

Greater Whitsunday Aerospace will propel high-tech jobs and ignite growth in Australia’s space industry.

The region’s desirable location is attracting investment from aerospace organisations.

The sectors can be well-supported by the Greater Whitsunday region’s significant engineering and technical services capability, making them exciting growth and diversification industries for the region’s economy.

Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Local Government Areas (LGAs) have set course for a strong trajectory of growth in the aerospace sector.

The cornerstone of the $500 million regional aerospace industry is the Bowen headquarters of Gilmour Space. A fledgling sector for the region, this Bowen operation is representing Northern Australia as part of a $6.4 billion national aerospace industry, which employs about 15,435 people nationally.

Working together through Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), the LGAs are leveraging the region’s climatic, geographic and economic strengths to attract private sector interest and multi-tiered government support.

The region is working with Gilmour Space to undertake major projects and GW3 is helping bring together government, and partner organisations such as the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCoE), the education sector, and international aerospace proponents to shore up and promote the future skills, social infrastructure and economic climate needed to position Greater Whitsunday as an investment region of choice.

Abbot Point.

Abbot Point near Bowen in the Whitsundays has been identified by the Queensland Government as being ideally suited in terms of technical and environmental criteria for a potential space launch facility. Favourable conditions include:

Location

being close to the equator and the capability to launch multiple orbits.

Population

area of extremely low population density.

Activity

minimal activity on the ocean within close proximity to the launch site which prevents launch delays due to range encroachment.

Significant existing infrastructure

deep sea port, long runway, proximity to a major hospital, and road and rail network.

Aerospace Highlights

Greater Whitsunday regional strengths in aviation and aerospace include:

High proportion of clear weather days

Open coastline.

Proximity to the equator.

Uncongested airspace.

Access to infrastructure.

Region’s liveability to attract and retain workforces.

METS capabilities that can be adapted to support equipment maintenance and repair.

Regional Opportunities.

A key Aerospace opportunity has been realised for the Greater Whitsunday region and can be leveraged to stimulate further development and investment.

Gilmour Space

As part of Queensland Space Industry Strategy, a technical and environmental investigation was undertaken into the space launch potential of Abbot Point, near Bowen which found the site is suitable for small-scale launch activities. It is anticipated that proponent Gilmour Space Technologies will be launching from this site in 2023 which will potentially support new business as well as existing local supply chain opportunities.

Learn more about Gilmour Space

Industry Accelerators

GW3 has identified five strategic and interconnected accelerators that exist across all industry sectors and will deliver economic growth when maximised.

Greater

Decarbonisation

The region’s vision for decarbonisation is as aspirational as it is audacious.

Learn More

Greater

Digital

By 2032, Greater Whitsunday will be Australia’s most hyper connected region.

Learn More

Greater

Infrastructure, Energy & Water

Engaging in road advocacy, election priorities, and funding opportunities, GW3 aims to amplify our region’s voice and ensure that critical projects receive the attention and funding they deserve.

Learn More