Work with us

Who we are, what we do

The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water performs work that touches the lives of every Queenslander every day. With more than 700 staff, we have a presence throughout Queensland, with 30 regional offices located across the state.

Our department has a broad remit, working every day to deliver our vision: A Queensland where communities, businesses and water resources are sustainable, resilient and thriving.

We are the manufacturing sector champion, delivering financial support through a range of grants, as well as providing other practical help and advice through our manufacturing hub network in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Gold Coast.

We are the dam safety regulator, ensuring more than 100 referable dams throughout the state are safe and operating as intended. We also keep a close eye on the future, assessing bulk water needs across the state and anticipating future demand based on population growth, climate change, and emerging industries.

We are the drinking water regulator, ensuring that the local government water service providers throughout Queensland are delivering safe, reliable drinking water for their communities.

We are responsible for the sustainable and efficient allocation and use of water throughout Queensland, ensuring the needs of the environment, water users and communities are met securely and we manage more than 40,000 water entitlements across the state.

The Office for Rural and Regional Queensland delivers support for key regional activities including Community Forums and Community Cabinet, ensuring regional issues are being heard and solutions have local input.

What we value

Our department values a respectful, collaborative and supportive culture. Our Behaviours Charter is a collection of guiding principles, shaped by the people who work here, that spells out the great working environment we want to create and maintain.

These principles include:

• collaboration
• inclusivity
• respect
• authenticity
• having fun and celebrating our achievements.

Our commitment to First Nations Peoples

The department is committed to respectful, constructive and fruitful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. About one-third of DRDMW staff have roles that deliver services or work directly with Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities, and our department has a long history of engaging with First Nation’s peoples. We aim to work inclusively and respectfully with First Nations peoples across Queensland and move towards a genuine pathway of co-design in our work.

To help bring these ideas to life, the department commissioned a First Nations artwork, created for us by Wakka Wakka man, David Williams called Connections Across Country. This artwork tells the story of the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water and its significance to a thriving and sustainable Queensland while paying deep respect to our First Nations communities and their storytelling culture.