Local governments have welcomed moves by the Prime Minister to create new opportunities in the northern half of Australia.

The Federal Government says it has started work on a White Paper on Northern Australia, which is intended to set out policies to boost economic growth in areas often neglected by metro-centric projects.

The terms of reference for the White Paper emphasise the benefits of growth driven by private sector investment, including in indigenous communities.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says developing northern Australia will bring more of everything.

“A stronger northern Australia will benefit everyone with more jobs and more successful companies, leading to more revenue to pay down debt and provide more funding for infrastructure and services,” he said.

“[The white paper] will show how Northern Australia can become a food bowl for Asia and how we can build a $150 billion energy export industry as well as grow our tourism, education and health sectors,” Mr Abbott said.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed the pledge.

LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallum will enhance efforts on local and state levels to “unshackle the state’s regional economies from over regulation.”

Mr Hallum says he would like to see the paper include ways to encourage repeople to move out of Queensland’s metropolitan south-east corner, as part of an ongoing effort to get half the population living in rural areas.

“Local councils in Queensland’s north are working hard to ensure their communities enjoy the benefits of economic growth and innovation and they will welcome this strong commitment from the federal and state governments to the region’s future,” Mr Hallum said.

An outline of the policies and documents for northern Australia are accessible here.