UPDATE 10.45: NO PLACE is better suited to host a new multi-billion dollar Asia-Pacific aerospace industry than Mackay, in the eyes of David Hartigan.

Yesterday the State Government released a proposal and discussion paper for a hub tipped to create thousands of jobs and business opportunities.

Consultation on the discussion paper will run from today until May 27 in a range of locations throughout the state, including Mackay.

But it is our region's experience working in the coal sector, which requires similar precise and quality assurance regulations, that has Field Engineering general manager David Hartigan spruiking Mackay as the ideal candidate.

"I think many businesses would be surprised how far down the road of fitting aerospace requirements they already are," he said.

"I can't think of any other city that has an underlying industry base with such similar requirements for precision and quality assurance.

"The methods used for testing planes are the same ones used on testing mining equipment and cranes."

And he should know - his company already worked with the defence force.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay would be an ideal contender for the hub.

He agreed that, with "the Silicon Valley" of IT experience in Paget, mining industry expertise and a large airport, the region should be able to secure 'hundreds' of jobs through the project.

"I'm sure we would be talking hundreds of jobs," Cr Williamson said.

LISTEN: Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson believes 'the sky is the limit' when it comes to opportunity Mackay could secure through an aerospace hub.

EARLIER: MACKAY could be in with a chance to secure a multi-billion dollar Asia-Pacific aerospace industry.

A proposal and discussion paper released by State Government today said the facility could create thousands of jobs and business opportunities.

State development minister Anthony Lynham said the facility would offer opportunities to businesses who had previously only supplied the mining industry.

Consultation on the discussion paper would run from today until May 27, in a range of locations throughout the state including Mackay.

"We already have the foundations here with our civil and defence aviation strengths - our depth of capability, our world-class expertise, and our strategic location," Dr Lynham said.

"Our Advance Queensland agenda is to grow these 'high tech' industries with global growth potential. "This discussion paper is the first step in setting Queensland on the flightpath towards a bigger, better future in aerospace."

The aerospace sector already provides 4500 direct jobs in aircraft component manufacturing and repair services statewide and generated around $600 million to the state economy in 2014-15.

Globally, strong passenger travel demand is forecast to require more than 35,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years, particularly in India, China, the Middle East and other Asia-Pacific countries.

Dr Lynham said companies like Boeing Defence Australia, Virgin Australia Airlines, Airbus Group Australia Pacific, BAE Systems, Qantas heavy maintenance and Raytheon were in Queensland because the state offered a clear competitive advantage.

The largest avionics facility in Australia is Australian Avionics in Cairns and in Townsville, Flying Colours Aviation is Australia's largest commercial airline paint shop.

"Aerospace offers great opportunities for businesses who have never even considered this industry: for engineering companies, for instance, who have always supplied the mining industry," Dr Lynham said.

It will include workshops throughout May with local businesses around the state, including in Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay region, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.