THE doors will soon open on Rockhampton's $10m manufacturing hub with benefits flowing to the agricultural sector and transporters.
It will be established at the Central Queensland University campus in Norman Gardens and have an early focus on rail and advanced metal production and innovations in food.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said staff had been hired, including coordinator Mick Allen who would be supported by a skills development and training officer and a project support officer.
Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke said the hub would benefit a cross-section of the community.
"It will encourage advanced manufacturing innovation in the rail freight sector, in partnership with the Centre for Railway Engineering, which is part of CQU," Mr O'Rourke said.
"Local metal and food producers will have access to workforce development and training, and to state-of-the-art technologies to improve capabilities."
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said regional manufacturing was strong, with about 30 per cent of the sector's economic contribution delivered through the regions.
"Manufacturing is a key driver of state exports, with sector exports totalling approximately $15.8 billion in 2017-18, or around 22 per cent of the total state export value," Mrs Lauga said.
"This sector is growing and creating more jobs, with a year-on-year growth rate in Queensland of 5.3 per cent compared to 3.2 per cent nationally in the past 12 months."
Mr Dick said to further enhance the impact of the Rockhampton manufacturing hub the Palaszczuk government has established a Rail Manufacturing Leaders Group.
"The group is responsible for developing a rail manufacturing strategy for Queensland that will boost the state's rail manufacturing sector, capture future supply opportunities and build our regional manufacturing capacity."