Doomadgee Future Planning Project

The Doomadgee Future Planning Project is an award-winning, community-led initiative delivering long-term social, cultural and economic transformation for Doomadgee on Gangalidda and Waanyi Country in Queensland's Gulf region..

National Urban Design Award Winner 2026
Engagement Institute Australasian Excellence Award Winner 2025
Aboriginal and Indigenous Engagement Award Winner 2025

The Doomadgee Future Planning Project is an award-winning, community-led initiative delivering long-term social, cultural and economic transformation for Doomadgee on Gangalidda and Waanyi Country in Queensland's Gulf region.

Led by Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council in partnership with the Queensland Government, the project responds to decades of under-planning by establishing a clear and deliverable vision for the future of the community. Through extensive co-design and engagement, the project has created a practical framework for investment, infrastructure delivery and place-based renewal that is directly shaped by local priorities.

The project reimagines Doomadgee through a series of interconnected precincts, including a new town centre, tourism and cultural destinations, an activated riverfront, campgrounds, and upgraded sporting and recreation facilities. Together, these initiatives strengthen community identity, improve liveability, create economic opportunities and support long-term self-determination.

A defining feature of the project has been its innovative engagement approach. Elders, young people, community organisations and residents have played a central role in shaping the future of their town through ongoing co-design workshops, on-Country engagement and iterative design development. This commitment to genuine community participation was recognised through the project's success at the 2025 Engagement Institute Awards, where it received both the Australasian Excellence Award and the Aboriginal and Indigenous Engagement Award.

Unlike a traditional masterplan, the Doomadgee Future Planning Project operates as a live planning framework, continually evolving in response to community aspirations, funding opportunities and implementation outcomes. This approach has created a strong pipeline of projects and secured significant investment, with many initiatives now completed or under construction.

Outcomes and Benefits

The project has already delivered tangible outcomes, including new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, community facilities, recreation upgrades and a growing portfolio of funded projects. It has also informed the development of the award-winning Precincts and Partnerships Prospectus, an innovative investment and funding tool that has helped secure substantial government and grant funding for the community.

At its core, the Doomadgee Future Planning Project demonstrates how urban design can be a catalyst for equity, cultural resilience and lasting change. By combining deep community engagement with strategic planning and design-led thinking, it establishes a nationally recognised precedent for Indigenous-led planning and delivery in regional and remote Australia.