Water services

Outback Queensland has the advantage of not only being part of the Lake Eyre catchment, which incorporates a labyrinth of river and channel systems, but also of having access to the Great Artesian Basin. The majority of towns in Outback Queensland have drilled bores to access water from the artesian basin, ensuring consistent supply.

There is a perception that access to water is an issue in the outback. It could be argued that access to the Great Artesian Basin means that water is less of an issue here than many other regions relying solely on dams. Water is a precious resource no matter where you do business. The Local Government Areas of Outback Queensland have been working on water catchment, storage, and efficiency to ensure a sustainable consistent supply for residential and business users into the future.

Energy

• Electricity - Ergon Energy provides electricity to Outback Queensland via several sub stations. Enertrade operate a gas power station at Barcaldine, which supplies power to the northern shires of the region via the national power grid.

• Gas - AGL Pertronas Consortium has proposed the PNG Queensland gas pipeline to run through this region, specifically Barcoo, Longreach and Aramac Shires. Enertrade owns and operates the North Queensland Gas Pipeline supplying to the gas-fired power station at Barcaldine. Energex supplies gas in bottle form to commercial and residential users via outlets across the region.

• Geothermal (hot dry rocks) – initial research indicates there is massive potential throughout Outback Queensland due to the proximity of the granite level below the earth's surface in this region. Investment partners are currently being sought to develop this project further.

Transport

• Road - Road access through Outback Queensland is via a network of highways and development roads linking north, south, east and west. Landsborough Highway forms a north south connection between Brisbane, the region, Mt Isa and beyond. Capricorn Highway forms an east west connection between Rockhampton, the region, Mt Isa and beyond. The Thomson, Kennedy, Diamantina, Eyre and Birdsville Development Roads link the south west corner of the region to all other centres.

Several bus operators provide regular passenger and freight services throughout the region. A daily service is provided between Brisbane and Winton.

 • Rail - Queensland Rail operate freight and passenger services connecting Brisbane with Outback Queensland via Rockhampton. Freight services operate three days per week between Rockhampton and Winton. Passenger trains operate twice per week between Rockhampton and Longreach with a direct connection to Brisbane.

 • Air transport - Longreach airport is the largest in the region and accommodates commercial, freight and charter flights. The Longreach airport, with its 1960metre strip, offers all weather access for aircraft up to B737 – 400 series. It is a major fuelling depot and is home to several private charter and helicopter operations, plus an aviation engineering firm. Plans are currently underway to upgrade the Longreach airport to cater for B737 - 800 series aircraft in the next twelve months. Qantas operates daily flights between Brisbane and Longreach, with several flights providing a connection at Barcaldine or Blackall. MacAir operates two services per week between Townsville and Longreach. MacAir also operates four services per week between Brisbane, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Mt Isa.