Central Queensland is large and diverse, stretching from the coast to the western border of the State, encompassing 19 local governments in an area of 401,526 square kms (23% of the State).

This area has three broad economic sub-regions:

• the Coast (containing Rockhampton City and Livingstone, Fitzroy and Mount Morgan shires);
• the Highlands (containing Bauhinia, Duaringa, Emerald, Jericho and Peak Downs shires); and
• the Central West (Aramac, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall, Diamantina, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Longreach, Tambo and Winton shires).

The main urban centres are Rockhampton, Emerald and Longreach. In 1998 the region had a total population of 137,079 with 71% based in the Coastal sub-region, 21% in the highlands and the remaining 8% in the central west. The region has a moderate proportion (5-10%) of temporary residents, with higher numbers concentrated in the areas dependent on itinerant and fly-in fly-out workforces.