Region Profile

The Western Downs at a Glance

Situated on the rich soils of the Darling Downs, Western Downs Region stretches from 200 km north west of Brisbane and incorporates the towns of Dalby, Jandowae, Bell, Chinchilla, Miles, Tara, Moonie and Wandoan. Being so close to Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts makes a visit to rural Australia an easy drive for the metropolitan visitor.

Dalby and the surrounding Western Downs are at the centre of rich coal and natural gas reserves which underpin the power generation industry for SE Qld. The region is renowned as a rich agricultural area, growing crops such as cotton, sorghum, wheat, barley, sunflowers, chickpeas, mung beans and corn, as well as the production of lamb, beef and pork.

The region is a vibrant "go ahead" rural community with a population of approximately 30,000. As well as large coal and gas fired power stations, the region has the largest grain receival depots in Queensland, the largest one day livestock markets in Australia and has one of the largest regional industrial and agricultural manufacturing sectors.