Townsville Economic Overview
Townsville: Capital of Queensland's North
Townsville is the largest city in Tropical Australia and is the capital of North Queensland.
- Characterised by a strong, balanced economy
- Recognised as having Australia's most diverse regional economy
- Economic growth has averaged 8.9% per annum over the 2003 to 2008 period
- Townsville Gross Regional Product, estimated at $8.2 billion in 2007-08, represents growth of 18.1% over the previous year
- Significant industries include construction, manufacturing, property and busines services, health and education and public administration and defenceTownsville's employment profile is consistent with a maturing serviced-based economy
- The retail trade sector is the largest employing industry, followed by health and community services and federal, state and local government administration and defence
Townsville is home to the Army's 3rd Brigade at Lavarack Barracks - one of the largest defence bases in Australia with around 4,000 military and 700 civilian personnel