QUEENSLAND’s primary producers will be benefit from the opening of a $17.8m Regional Trade Distribution Centre at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp airport.
Deputy Premier and Minister Steven Miles said the Toowoomba Wellcamp RTDC “is streamlining the paddock-to-freight process for graziers and growers throughout the Toowoomba and Downs regions.
“Premium Queensland fresh food such as beef, fruit and vegetables can now be airfreighted into markets all over the world, faster and fresher than ever before.
“This project has already delivered a fantastic boost for the local businesses in Toowoomba, having supported 170 workers during construction, with more jobs to be created at the facility and throughout the supply chain.”
QLD treasurer Cameron Dick said strengthening regional businesses is a key element of the government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“The Palaszczuk government is proud to have nurtured this project through a $10m investment as part of the $175m Jobs and Regional Growth Fund,” the Treasurer said.
“Queensland exports support 20% of Queensland jobs and 25% of regional jobs.”
Queensland’s overseas exports of goods and services are forecast to rebound by 9.75% in 2021-22.
Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner said, “The RTDC is regional Queensland’s largest fresh food exporting hub with a gross floor area of 4,000 square metres.
“Included is 1,500 square metres of state-of-the-art refrigerated storage, freezer rooms and temperature-controlled transit areas as well as large transit and covered external storage areas.”
Toowoomba Wellcamp is the first of two Queensland RTDCs with another under development at the Cairns International Airport.
