A collective approach for the future of CWQ

We are the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board, better known as RAPAD.

We are a regional organisation of councils that works together to support, facilitate, promote, deliver, and encourage the region’s community, environmental and economic development.

We work with State and Federal leaders, agencies, industry, organisations and our local communities to represent the central west region.

With a progressive approach and an unwavering commitment to the people and groups we partner with and represent, we stand for the region and drive it forwards as one.

RAPAD Board

The RAPAD board is made up of the Mayors of the seven local government areas in Central West Queensland.

View the 2025 meeting calendar here.

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Our projects & advocacy

Want to know more about what we are working on and what we are gearing up to work on? View our projects.

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Our purpose

RAPAD works to enable Central West Queensland to grow its potential on a local, state and national level.

Working with our local governments, we advocate, facilitate, network and raise issues to eliminate regional risks and deliver tailored solutions that create positive progress for Central West Queensland as a whole.

Working for you

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Working with you

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Councils & Community

RAPAD is made up of the seven local government areas in the central west of Queensland. Each local government area’s mayor sits on our board as a director. RAPAD is the glue that binds the collective effort of local government representatives to drive regionally focused progress in Central West Queensland. We take a regional approach while recognising the individuality of each member local government, state and federal governments and non-government groups to bridge the gaps between opportunity action and growth.

Barcaldine Regional Council

The Barcaldine Regional Council includes the towns of Barcaldine, Muttaburra, Aramac, Alpha and Jericho. It’s the birth place of the Australian Labor Party, includes the geographic centre of Queensland and has a 200km public art project called Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail. The region supports agriculture, services, tourism and a burgeoning renewable energy sector.

Barcoo Shire Council

This shire council is made up of three small towns, Windorah, Jundah and Stonehenge. This is where you can start to get a taste of the vastness of the Australian outback, close knit communities, less services and greater distances. It’s where you can sit on the banks of the pristine Barcoo River, climb a red sand dune at sunset and people have time for each other.

Blackall-Tambo Regional Council

The Blackall Tambo Regional Council is made up by the townships of Blackall and Tambo. Well known as great wool growing country and home to quality children’s’ toy manufacturer Tambo Teddies.

Boulia Shire Council

Boulia township 250 kms from the Northern Territory boarder is the head quarters for the Boulia Shire Council. This remote region also includes the tiny community of Urandangi. This region boasts huge organic beef industry, the Georgina River and the first 3D pedestrian crossing in Australia.

Diamantina Shire Council

One of Australia’s most famous outback towns is found in the Diamantina Shire – Birdsville. The notorious town’s races have long been on the bucket list for adventurers, sunonomus with having made it FarOut. But the former ghost town of Betoota (yes it’s a real place not just a satirical news service), and township of Bedourie won’t be over shadowed. Tourism, and organic beef are the biggest industries in this region.

Longreach Regional Council

Birth place of Qantas and home of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach is the biggest little town in the west. HQ for the regional council, Longreach is a central location in the region for medical and government services, and daily flights to Brisbane. The Longreach region also includes the towns of Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka. Key industries include agriculture, tourism and services.

Winton Shire Council

Lights, camera, action the Winton Shire is home to the most recognisable landscape in western Queensland thanks to its long association with the film industry. The township is also making a name for itself as the dinosaur capital of Australia because of the fossils found and displayed in the region. The communities of Middleton and Opalton are also part of the Winton Shire. Top industries are tourism, agriculture, film and mining.