Delivering for Central West Queensland

RAPAD supports, facilitates, promotes, delivers and encourages the region’s community, environmental and economic development.

Below is what RAPAD is currently focusing on and the projects were are undertaking.

Current programs

Arts, Culture and Creativity in the RAPAD Region

We’re working to understand how creative arts activities contribute to the vitality, wellbeing and sustainability of communities. Projects include Woven Stories and CWQ Grow Your Own – Arts, Cultural and Creative Workforce Plan.

CWQ Regional Drought Resilience Program

The Regional Drought Resilience Program aims to support regions to prepare for and manage future droughts. Through the program the CWQ Drought Resilience Plan was developed and published in 2024. The Plan provides for proactive decisions, actions and investment for drought preparedness across the Central West. It reflects extensive collaboration with local councils, regional stakeholders, industry partners and community, ensuring the priorities and actions are grounded in local knowledge and regional needs. Work is now underway through RAPAD to deliver priority actions identified in our region’s Plan.

Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer Program

RAPAD is proud to continue its support the recovery and resilience building of our region’s rural businesses through the Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer Program. RAPAD’s IRROs are available to support primary producers in Central West Queensland impacted by the 2025 Western Queensland floods.

Exclusion Fencing Recovery Program

Jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the grant supports grazing enterprises impacted by the Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding beginning 21 March 2025.

Farm Business Planning North Queensland

Farm Business Planning North Queensland is dedicated to supporting North Queensland farmers in building resilience and improving farm business management through the Farm Business Resilience Program.

Queensland Feral Pest Initiative – Cluster fencing

Between 2011 and 2015, during widespread drought, the number of people living in the region aged 54 or younger declined by 12.5%. RAPAD and other concerned members of the community held meetings searching for a solution.

Central West Queensland Adaption to a Diversified Economy

This project aims to support our region in unlocking the opportunities associated with the shift of the energy industry

RAPAD Climate Alliance

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) and its seven member councils formed a new Climate Alliance, aimed at working together to deliver a regional Climate Resilience Project.

RAPAD Early Childhood Education and Care Alliance of Councils

The RAPAD Early Childhood Education and Care Alliance of Councils has been created to help improve and support early learning and care services for children and families across our seven council areas.

RAPAD Small Business Mentoring Program

RAPAD is delivering the Small Business Mentoring Program in partnership with MentorSME to support local small businesses with one-on-one experienced mentoring for 12 months.

Regional Waste Management Plan Coordination Program

The CWQ Regional Waste Management Plan aims to assist councils to identify and prioritise waste and resource recovery activities and necessary infrastructure on a regional basis. A RAPAD project coordinator works with councils across the CWQ region to implement the Plan.

RAPAD Power Grid

RAPAD’s seven councils and CopperString’s founders have agreed to work with landholders and communities to establish an estimated 930-kilometre clean energy corridor to secure jobs and growth for western Queensland.

RAPAD Skilling

After more than 15 years supporting regional training, RAPAD has commenced the orderly closure of RAPAD Skilling and voluntarily withdraw its registration as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This decision follows an independent review undertaken by professionals in the sector looking into the financial and operational sustainability and options for its future.

RFCSNQ

Through RFCSNQ, RAPAD has delivered the Australian and Queensland government Rural Financial Counselling Service for almost two decades. RFCSNQ also delivers the Small Business Financial Counselling Program and the Business Wellness Coaching Program.

CWQ Regional Business Group

The Central West Queensland Regional Business Group is platform facilitated by RAPAD and driven by local business members. It is open to anyone who works in or with business in our region.

Far Out! Campaign

The Go Far Out campaign aims to overcome the challenges CWQ is currently experiencing with recruitment and regional promotion.

View legacy archive

Interested in finding out more about work that has been done and seeing exactly how RAPAD has improved the Central West? View our legacy projects.

Learn more

Get in touch

We love to collaborate and understand what is happening in our community so contact RAPAD if you want to help build a better, more resilient Central West Queensland.