🌊 Capricorn Coast Region is Growing - and Growing FAST!

🌊 Our Region Is Growing—and Growing Fast

Livingstone Shire is expanding at a pace well above regional averages. As of June 2024, our local population reached 42,849—a 2.26% increase in just one year, against Regional QLD’s 1.83% rate Economy ID+15Profile.id+15The Courier-Mail+15. That pace continues a long-term pattern: over the past three decades, the combined Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton area soared from under 90,000 in 1991 to over 128,000 in 2024—a rise of more than 43% Capricorn EnterpriseABC.

Capricorn Enterprise projects our local population to climb further—from roughly 39,900 in 2021 to nearly 63,000 by 2046 getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au+9Capricorn Enterprise+9Capricorn Enterprise+9. Yeppoon alone added about 13,100 residents over those years, with Emu Park and Gracemere also among the fastest-growing areas ABC+6Capricorn Enterprise+6Livingstone Shire Council+6.

🚧 Why It's Not Just About Numbers

With this growth comes demand—for housing, for services, for roads, and for smart planning. That’s exactly what Livingstone Shire Council is tackling head-on.

1. East‑West Connector: Unlocking Thousands of Homes

The proposed East-West Connector Road between Yeppoon Road/Bondoola and Rosslyn Bay is designed to open up over 2,500 new housing lots, ease traffic along Tanby Road, and improve access to Rosslyn Bay Marina and town amenities Livingstone Shire Council+15The Courier-Mail+15Livingstone Shire Council+15. The first $25 million stage is shovel-ready, with construction potential by 2027–28 if state funding schedules align.

2. Sewer & Road Projects Already Completed or Underway

The $3.24 million Scenic Highway Sewer Gravity Main was completed January 2025—boosting network capacity from Wattle Grove to Cedar Park and supporting Taranganba, Cooee Bay, and surrounds The Courier-MailLivingstone Shire Council.
Meanwhile, the Jabiru Drive link (about $2.1M) now connects Plover Drive to Yeppoon Road, enhancing local traffic flow and access into Yeppoon’s commercial areas Livingstone Shire Council.

3. Taroomball Trunk Sewer Upgrade

Council has recently initiated a multi‑stage tender process to upgrade sewer infrastructure across the region—part of a broader plan to support economic, industrial, and tourism growth Livingstone Shire Council.

4. Future-Focused Planning

Livingstone is amending its Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP)— inviting community input now on transport, water, sewer, parks, and public facilities needed to support this rapid population rise Livingstone Shire Council+6Livingstone Shire Council+6Livingstone Shire Council+6.
The Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018 sets development intentions through 2028 and is linked to LGIP trunk infrastructure planning Livingstone Shire Council+1Livingstone Shire Council+1.

🌱 Additional Growth Drivers & Investment

• The Capricorn Coast Smart Region Strategy is using digital innovation to encourage future-ready growth and remote working opportunities on the Coast Central Queensland Today+4Livingstone Shire Council+4Livingstone Shire Council+4.
• Livingstone’s $98M economic gain between 2021–22 included 350 new small businesses and record tourism figures— over 1.2 million overnight stays Livingstone Shire Council.
• The council is actively marketing the Yeppoon Homemaker Centre Stage 2, a 31,000 sqm site zoned for large-format retail. With population expected to nearly reach 62,000 by 2046, it signals strong local demand and investment potential The Courier-Mail.

🏠 What It Means for Locals: Residents, Developers & Businesses

🔮 Why This Matters Right Now

• Infrastructure is not just happening—it’s already underway.
• Projects like the sewer upgrades and Jabiru Drive extension are live evidence of growth planning in action.
• Council’s strategic planning is proactively bounding ahead—with the LGIP and smart-region framework aligned to growth patterns.

✅ Final Thoughts: A Coast on the Move

Livingstone Shire isn’t just growing—it’s evolving with intentional infrastructure, thoughtful zoning, and strategic investments. For locals, it means more housing, more retail, safer roads, and increased opportunity. It stands as a reminder: growth can be aligned, sustainable, and beautiful.

Want to connect this to your next move—buyer insights, land sales, or insights for developers? We’re here to help you navigate what’s coming for our Coast.