{"id":247026,"date":"2019-10-30T21:53:37","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T11:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=247026"},"modified":"2020-07-15T18:35:24","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T08:35:24","slug":"wellcamp-to-become-rural-export-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/10\/30\/wellcamp-to-become-rural-export-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"Wellcamp To Become Rural Export Hub"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport will become one of two new Regional Trade Distribution Centres to help boost rural exports and jobs following the announcement of a multi-million investment by the State Government on Wednesday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 30, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport will become an agricultural export hub by early 2021, providing new export opportunities for farmers and food processors.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the State Government announced it will make a multi-million dollar investment in Toowoomba and Cairns to boost jobs and create agricultural export “hot spots”.<\/p>\n

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Wagners Group Holdings has been selected to construct a Regional Trade Distribution Centre (RTDC) at Wellcamp Airport, with Cairns selected as the site for a second RTDC.<\/p>\n

“This will supercharge rapid airfreight access for agricultural producers,” the Premier said.<\/p>\n

“It means graziers and growers will have easier access to export markets and that means jobs.<\/p>\n

“In 2017, we said we\u2019d deliver an export hub for Queensland but following a very strong response we decided to deliver two.<\/p>\n

“Now we\u2019re delivering on our commitment and Toowoomba will reap the benefits.”<\/p>\n

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the Darling Downs RTDC would lift productivity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It would also capitalise on Queensland\u2019s global reputation as a leader in the production and processing of quality agricultural produce.<\/p>\n

Mr Dick said Wagners planned to expand an existing distribution centre at Wellcamp, adding 3000 square metres to the facility.<\/p>\n

“The expansion will comprise four state-of-the-art large cold rooms, a temperature-controlled store room, a store room and an external storage area,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The new facility will be used to process premium export goods including beef, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables, pork and packaged nuts.”<\/p>\n

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham said the RTDC demonstrated the State Government\u2019s focus on job creation and growth for Queensland\u2019s agricultural producers and processors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“From our Queensland Beef Processing Strategy 2019-2022 to our backing of companies like Swickers in Kingaroy and vegetable grower Qualipac in Inglewood, we are showing our support for regional businesses and Queenslanders who work there.<\/p>\n

“This facility will give many of those businesses – most of whom have a presence in Asian markets – a greater opportunity to expand to other marketplaces in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wellcamp Airport General Manager Robert Kasch said he was proud the Darling Downs had been selected as the location for the RTDC.<\/p>\n

Wagners plan a 10-month build, with construction starting in the second quarter of 2020.<\/p>\n

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