The Northern Economic Triangle (NET) is a commitment by the Queensland Government to foster sustainable economic, social and community growth through the emergence of Mount Isa, Townsville and Bowen as a triangle of mineral processing and industrial development.

The NET aims to ensure the provision of critical infrastructure that underpins private sector investment in minerals processing and industrial development over the next half century. The NET integrates the activities of each economic centre through the development of strategies to:

• support stronger regional linkages
• enhance mining and mineral processing
• enhance industrial development.

The NET is a strategic response by the Queensland Government to:

• raise the regional and international profile of north-west and north Queensland
• expand mining and mineral processing operations to supply world markets
• recognise the present global boom in demand for minerals and metals, and the likelihood of the demand remaining strong into the foreseeable future
• recognise opportunities for development presented by large international companies seeking locations for value-adding projects on the east coast of Queensland
• promote collaborative solutions for the provision of critical infrastructure and opportunities for private sector investment.

The NET Infrastructure Plan 2007-12 was released by the government on 3 August 2007. Following the release of the Infrastructure Plan the Northern Economic Triangle Taskforce has progressed a number of priority actions which are highlighted in the Northern Economic Triangle Infrastructure Plan - Progress Report 2007 (2.3 MB).

The Queensland Government, through the NET initiative, has partnered with the Queensland Resources Council to produce a review of North West Queensland Energy Delivery (the Sims Review). The review and its related implementation is set out in the North West Queensland Energy Delivery - Queensland Government facilitation.

The Northern Economic Triangle incorporates other plans, one of which is the Townsville City-Port Strategic Plan.

The Northern Economic Triangle Taskforce promotes a collaborative approach through active participation with government, industry, project proponents and the community. 

The Bowen–Abbot Point community consultation group has been developed to facilitate community consultation on industrial development and infrastructure projects in the region.

Further information

For further information about the NET, contact the Infrastructure and Economic Development Group.