CQU Rockhampton

Public notice

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is proposing amendments to the Central Queensland University (CQU) Rockhampton Priority Development Area (PDA) Development Scheme.

All interested parties and stakeholders are invited to view the draft Development Scheme and provide feedback during the 15-business-day submission period from 2 to 20 November 2026.

Questions regarding the draft Development Scheme can be directed to Economic Development Queensland via:

Phone: 07 3452 7880

Email: [email protected]

Post: Economic Development Queensland, GPO Box 2202, Brisbane QLD 4001

Have your say: yoursay.edq.qld.gov.au

Key details

The Central Queensland University (CQU) Rockhampton Priority Development Area (PDA) aims to provide opportunities for urban development on land surplus to the university’s requirements.

The PDA includes the CQU Rockhampton North Campus and adjoining vacant land in Rockhampton North, intended for the delivery of more homes and the Rockhampton Sports Precinct.

Established to support the long-term growth of the region, the PDA provides a planning framework for the integration of education, housing, recreation, employment and community infrastructure within a connected mixed-use precinct.

The PDA was declared on 9 December 2011.

Development Scheme

The CQU Rockhampton PDA Development Scheme is the regulatory document which assists with planning, carrying out, promoting, coordinating and controlling land development within the PDA.

The CQU Rockhampton PDA Development Scheme commenced on 26 April 2013.

Note: Amendments to the Economic Development Act 2012 have changed the interpretation of PDA exempt and PDA self-assessable development. More information

Development Scheme amendment

The proposed changes will support the delivery of new homes, world-class sporting facilities and better education and training opportunities for Rockhampton and Central Queensland.

The proposed changes will support the Queensland Government’s commitments to:

unlock surplus land for approximately 200 additional homes providing over 450 Queenslanders a place to call home.
facilitate a new Rockhampton Sports Precinct, in partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council
deliver a new TAFE Excellence Precinct for Rockhampton in partnership with CQUniversity.

Key proposed amendments

Streamline planning: removes unnecessary red tape to fast-track new homes and community facilities.
Create a new sports and recreation area supports the delivery of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct, recreation and community activities.
Expand the special purpose area: supports CQUniversity’s education, research and associated activities, as well as the future TAFE Centre of Excellence.

The amendment does not approve new development. It updates the statutory planning framework that will guide future development.

Public notification

Have your say

EDQ would like to hear from residents, homeowners, landowners, business operators, industry stakeholders and the broader community.

Your feedback will help inform the finalisation of the amended Development Scheme and help inform the development within the CQU Rockhampton PDA.

Public notification runs from 2 to 20 November 2026.

How to make a submission

Submissions can be lodged to the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) by:

Post: Economic Development Queensland, GPO Box 2202, Brisbane QLD 4001
Email: [email protected]
Online: via the submission form

A submission should:

be received during the public notification period
include the submitter’s name and contact details
clearly identify the proposed CQ University PDA Development Scheme
describe the matters supported or of concern
be addressed to the Minister for Economic Development Queensland

All properly made submissions received during public notification will be considered as part of the statutory process for finalising the Development Scheme.

For further information, visit the CQU Rockhampton PDA Have your say website to view the draft Development Scheme.

Development assessment

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) assesses development applications for this PDA.

All development applications are assessed against the Development Scheme.

Infrastructure

Funding and building infrastructure is key to facilitating development within PDAs. The ED Act authorises MEDQ to set and levy infrastructure charges within a PDA, with the Infrastructure Funding Framework (IFF) serving as the primary EDQ policy document concerning charges for CQU Rockhampton PDA. As outlined in the IFF, the CQU Rockhampton PDA refers to the relevant Local Government’s charging instrument to determine the calculation of these charges.

CQU Rockhampton PDA boundary map

Download the CQU PDA regulation map

PDF • 374 KB

Last updated: 30 October 2026

Central Queensland

The PDA includes the CQU Rockhampton Campus and adjoining vacant land

PDA

PDA Regulatory Map

View CQU Rockhampton PDA Map

Key Information

Proposed Development Scheme

PDF • 2 MB

Infrastructure Funding Framework (IFF)

PDF • 1 MB

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