Overview

Sarina is the southernmost of the four statistical local areas that together make up the Mackay region.

The Mackay Regional Council area is one of the fastest growing in Queensland, with a population at June 2010 of 118,842 and an average annual growth rate of 2.9% (2005-2010). Looking to the future, strong growth is forecast, with a projected regional population heading towards 200,00 over the coming decades.

Sarina Statistical Local Area (SLA) has a 2009 resident population of 11,992. For the period 2004-2009,  the Sarina statistical local area grew by 1392 people, experiencing an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Over the period to 2031, State government estimates* show the Sarina statistical local area reaching a population of 17,091.

Key Sarina industries include sugar cane growing and milling, cattle grazing and agriculture, plus logistics and transport. Through the CSR Limited distillery attached to CSR's Plane Creek sugar mill, Sarina is a major supplier of ethanol. The district is also home to two of the largest coal terminals in Austrlia being Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay. Proximity to the coast and mountains also attracts tourists to this area. The town of Sarina located 34 kilometers south of Mackay on the Bruce Highway, is the major centre serving the local area. The town of Sarina located 34 kilometers south of Mackay on the Bruce Highway, is the major centre within the statistical local area

*Population Projections Queensland, 2008 Edition, Medium Series, Total People, ASGC 2006 SLAs