Through drought and floods, rural Queensland communities continue to stand tall in the face of adversity.
While climatic conditions remain severe across large swathes of the state, Qld's economic growth has generally exceeded the national average due to above average population growth, a rise in resources investment and a strong exports industry.
According to the Queensland Government's 2019-20 State Budget Qld's economy is forecast to grow by 3 per cent in 2019-20. And employment growth is expected to grow by 1.25pc in 2019-20.
Geographically, Qld is Australia's second largest state, covering more than 173 million hectares, with close to 144 million hectares (or 83 per cent) of the land area used for agriculture.
The stories featured in this special Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register publication recognise the 'never give up' attitude of rural Queenslanders while highlighting a small portion of the myriad projects, businesses, innovations and forums that are helping to enhance the economic prospects of the Sunshine State into the future.
These include, but aren't limited to, the Inland Rail project which will bolster the regional freight network between Brisbane and Melbourne, and the now open Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, which has already delivered huge economic benefits through the region.
You'll read about the progress by the Flinders and Etheridge Shire Councils to seal the direct freight route between Cairns and Melbourne on the Hann Highway to allow an estimated additional 1250 road trains to use the highway, and the refrigerated export trials being conducted through the Port of Townsville to enable North Queensland fresh produce to be delivered to the world.
There are also the upcoming events such as the 400m Agrifood Innovation Forum in Toowoomba and the AgTECH19 forum being held in Emerald that will look to make a plethora of innovation in the agricultural sector into a reality.
Go Queenslander!