Emerald Community Cabinet took place on Sunday 17 August 2025

Thank you, Emerald!

Premier David Crisafulli and his Ministers held their Community Cabinet in Emerald in August to meet with residents, business owners, local groups and stakeholders to deliver great outcomes for the Central Highlands.

More than 150 people attended the event at Emerald Town Hall and Ministers held 77 deputation meetings with locals.

Discussions included jobs, housing, infrastructure, the beef industry, biosecurity, small businesses, education, and the regional road network.

The Crisafulli Government made several key announcements to boost economic development in the region and improve community lifestyle as it continues to listen to, and support, regional Queensland.

Discussions included

  • Veteran care
  • Youth engagement
  • Employment and training
  • Sustainable housing and construction
  • Disaster recovery
  • Sport
  • Support for regional and remote women
  • Equitable and effective healthcare
  • Support for schools
  • Investment in regional arts and culture
  • The sugar industry
  • Economic development on Palm Island
David Crisafulli, Premier and Minister for Veterans in conversation.

The Queensland Government is listening to Queenslanders and delivering for the Townsville region across priority areas including community safety, small business, job security and reconciliation.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Member for Gregory, the Premier and Mayor of the Central Highlands announce road safety upgrades for the Central Highlands region.

Road safety upgrade on the way for Central Highlands communities

Wyntoon-Springton Road is one of 22 regional roads that is set to receive safety upgrades across Queensland, as part of the new $100 million Country Roads Connect Program.

While in Emerald, the Premier announced successful projects and local council funding which will deliver necessary development to unsealed roads, providing a more reliable and resilient regional road network.

This new investment will support families and enable producers and businesses across the Central Highlands region to boost economic development.

Emerald energised by battery construction

There’s good news for households and businesses in Emerald, with the completion of a new 4MW/8MWh network-connected battery.

The unit delivers greater energy stability, by storing excess electricity, produced by local rooftop solar generation. In Emerald, over 28 per cent of the community have installed solar panels.

The battery will power up to 500 homes during peak periods and is one of 30 being rolled out by Energy Queensland across the state.

Member for Toowoomba North, Energy Queensland Acting Chief Engineer and the Treasurer inspect the newly completed network-connected battery at Emerald. Image courtesy of Energy Queensland.
Queensland’s cattle and agriculture. Image courtesy of Department of Primary Industries.

Beefing up jobs and agriculture

The Queensland Government’s support for the proposed Iona Project beef processing facility in Emerald provides a double boost for the region.

The development could support 188 construction jobs and 427 operational jobs while advancing the region’s agriculture, and equipping Queenslanders with the skills needed for the AgTech jobs of the future.

Emerald housing project to deliver more places to call home

Emerald will soon break ground on its most significant social housing development, on School Lane, with construction expected to finish by early 2027.

The project includes 18 new social homes which will reduce the social housing register in the Central Highlands by almost one-third once completed.


The Queensland Government is delivering a range of housing initiatives so more Queenslanders can have a place to call home.

Housing Minister with Mayor and staff of Central Highlands Council and representatives from Q Build, Housing and Homelessness Services and Hutchinson Builders at the at Emerald housing project announcement.
Director-General of Queensland Health and Chief Executive and staff of Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service with the Health Minister at Emerald Hospital. Image courtesy of Queensland Health.

Better access to specialised health services

Central and Western Queenslanders will have better access to specialised care closer to home with three renal dialysis chairs in the works for Emerald Hospital and a new specialised renal unit operational at Longreach Hospital.

In addition, Emerald Hospital’s Central Sterilising Services will be upgraded by 2026 through the Queensland Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan.

The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme will also continue so eligible Queenslanders who need to travel from rural and remote locations can access specialist medical services.

Community safety strengthened through more police and youth support

A new purpose-built police station has opened in Clermont, bolstering police presence and community safety in Central and Western Queensland.

It comes as the second round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work applications was announced at the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre recently.

The centre is home to a ‘Get Set for Work’ project aimed at disengaged youth. It’s one of many gold standard early intervention programs to help break the cycle of disadvantage and crime, and help make Queensland safer.

Police Minister with Senior Sergeant McFarlane of Emerald Police Station. Image courtesy of Queensland Police Service.
Artist's impression of one of the additional learning spaces for Emerald State High School. Image courtesy of Department of Education.

New school facilities and support for students and families

Additional state-of-the-art learning spaces will be built at Emerald State High School, while Muttaburra State School students will soon enjoy an upgraded playground.

The Queensland Government is also providing families of primary school students with cost-of-living support, with a $100 contribution towards school-related costs.

Thanks from the Premier

“We’re working hard to deliver safety where you live, health services when you need them and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, and hearing from Emerald locals is key to getting it right,” said Premier David Crisafulli.

“Thank you to those who took the time to share their ideas to help ensure we shape a better future and deliver the fresh start we promised for this region.”

The Premier addresses guests at the Emerald Community Cabinet.

What the Emerald community will benefit from

Alex Staines

Kestrel Coal Resources

“We met with the Treasurer. He and all the Cabinet were very accessible, so we are very grateful. We had a fantastic deputation meeting. He listened to everything we had to say, understood our issues, and is following up himself with his departmental staff; so we’re very grateful for the opportunity.”

Rob Moore

Emerald Motorsport Association

“We came to speak to Tim Mander, the Minister for Sport, to push for a drag strip in Emerald and access to some state land.”

Jess Burrey

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland branch

“It’s been excellent to have the Cabinet here. I’m an Emerald local and prescribing pharmacist, and the opportunity to thank Minister Nicholls and the Crisafulli Government for their contribution in making the Scope of Practice Pilot business-as-usual, has had an excellent impact on our community and patients.”

Kylee Matthews and Christine Wilson

Emerald Show Society

Christine: “It was lovely to catch up with the Ministers and have a conversation with them.”

Kylee: “It was really lovely, we were able to speak to Premier Crisafulli in person and thank him for the generous extra funding for Queensland Ag Shows. Also, it’s been lovely to not only meet the Ministers, but also be listened to and feel valued for what we do.”

Alana Moller

Central Queensland cattle station

“I live on a cattle station west of Clermont and have come along to represent the Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia Group. We’ve come along to discuss digital technology in Queensland, connectivity, communication, and the need essentially for our government departments to work together to ensure the best outcomes for rural and remote constituents.”

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