THE TOOWOOMBA Wellcamp Trade Distribution Centre is on track to be complete later this year.

The Toowoomba Wellcamp Trade Distribution Centre (RTDC) is to export premium goods including, but not limited to, beef, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables, pork and packaged nuts.

The airport has been developing as an international air freight export hub, with flights under the federal International Freight Assistance Mechanism taking off to Hong Kong, Singapore and other destinations starting last year.

Queensland deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure, local government and planning Steven Miles said the Palaszczuk government was investing $10 million to support this regional trade hub.

“The Toowoomba Wellcamp Trade Distribution Centre will supercharge airfreight access for agricultural producers in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region,” Mr Miles said.

“The distribution centre will open up international markets for graziers and growers making it easier to export our world’s-best produce.”

Treasurer and minister for investment Cameron Dick said it is hoped that the final slab pour will be completed by the end of February enabling construction works to take off and the facility to be operational by the end of 2021.

Steady progress has been made on the RTDC since October 2019 when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as one of two proponents selected to receive support to develop the multi-million-dollar regional export hub.

“Exports remain vital to our economy with one in five Queensland jobs supported by exports,” Mr Dick said.

“Once completed, the facility will deliver over 4000 square metres in gross floor area comprising of 1500 square metres of state-of-the-art refrigerated storage, freezer rooms and temperature-controlled transit areas as well as large ambient transit and covered external storage areas.

“This expansion of Wellcamp’s cold storage capability will give our world-leading primary producers and exporters an edge by increasing product shelf life and getting products back into international markets that just can’t get enough of Queensland’s high-quality food, fibre and manufactured products.”