Plans have been unveiled for a massive new aerospace and defence precinct which is to be built at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport.
The new area is being called the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct and would be built on land owned by the Wagner Corporation for Boeing Australia.
The site will be home to aviation giant Boeing’s new uncrewed‑aircraft production facility which would be their first outside of North America.
Boeing’s Airpower Teaming System, also known as the Loyal Wingman is a first-of-its-kind autonomous uncrewed aircraft that is being built in collaboration between the Australian Airforce and Boeing Australia with the intention of exporting the new drone aircraft to multiple countries around the world.
John Wagner, Chairman, said with Boeing Australia as the foundation tenant and an aviation-led recovery underway, the precinct is a critical opportunity for Wellcamp, Queensland and Australia.
Wagner Corporation expect the facility build will support around 300 construction jobs, with at least 70 high-skilled advanced manufacturing jobs to be created once the facility is operational.
“With governments and the private sector in Australia and internationally making massive investment in aerospace, advanced manufacturing and defence capabilities, the timing is absolutely right for us to develop a precinct of this calibre so that investment can be made right here in Queensland at Wellcamp.
“Our vision is for this to be a multi-generational asset for the region and the nation, creating prosperity, defining careers, and expanding horizons globally,” Mr Wagner said at today’s launch.
“We plan to set the pace with the most environmentally sustainable facility of its kind anywhere in the world.
“We know sustainability is a non-negotiable for manufacturing industries, and our precinct’s built environment, technology and services will support those goals.
“Community benefit is also a foundation sustainability principle — the precinct will create more jobs for a highly skilled workforce, close relationships with educational and research institutions, and more opportunity for local businesses and people,” Mr Wagner said.
As home to Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and a state-of-the-art Trade Distribution Centre, the Qantas Pilot Training Academy and an expanding business park, Wellcamp is well positioned to host the new master-planned precinct. Future developments at Wellcamp include a new multi-modal transport hub bringing excellent rail, air and road connectivity, and a world-class motor racing/entertainment precinct.
Mr Wagner believes the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct will be a vibrant ecosystem offering limitless opportunities now and for future generations.
In conjunction with the Royal Australian Air Force, Boeing Australia is developing six aircrafts with flight testing ongoing.
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