WHITSUNDAY Mayor Andrew Willcox has described the unemployment problems facing Whitsunday residents as a "crisis".

He is calling on the state and federal governments to prioritise the economic development of the Whitsunday region and will be discussing ideas to stimulate the economy with State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham next week.

The meeting with Dr Lynham comes after the announcement by Glencore last week that it would be laying off 18 workers at its Bowen coke manufacturing plant.

Late last year Glencore also axed 180 jobs at its Collinsville mine and in April the Hillside Haven aged care facility in Collinsville closed leaving another 19 signing on to Newstart.

"Enough is enough; with an unemployment rate of 10.6%, the Whitsunday region now has the largest unemployment rate of any non-indigenous local government in Queensland, and it needs to be addressed," Cr Willcox said.

Looking further than the proposed Carmichael Mine and the building of the Urannah Dam, Cr Willcox indicated more needed to be done and sooner.

"They are good projects but we have got to deal with the here and now. We have got (to have) our people employed now so we have to look for opportunities straight away."

"It's about asking 'what have we got to do to keep the food on the table for our families in our region now?'

"I want to talk to the Minister about opportunities for agriculture. Like a processing facility. A cannery is an option but it's not just about a cannery, it's about all the products we can make from our fruit and vegetables.

"Like vitamin supplements, healthcare goods, tomato paste, all those sort of things that add value to what we have got."

Cr Willcox conceded the resources downturn was being felt severely but he remained defiant, saying "we are not going to give up."

The Whitsunday Airport becoming an international facility and the marketing of the Whitsundays as a holiday destination will also be discussed.

"I will also be lobbying for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to visit the region and meet with local business and industry leaders to discuss opportunities for future economic growth and employment," Cr Willcox said.