Agricultural
12 September, 2023
Construction begins on AgTech Hub
State Agriculture Minister Mark Furner was on hand as first soil was turned at the site of a new national distribution site at the Charlton precinct which is set to deliver 200 jobs to the region.
The work is being contracted to the FKG Group which will build the site for machinery dealership RDO.
RDO CEO Phil Canning said proximity of the site to Inland Rail, the Wellcamp Airport and the North-South Distribution Corridor were key factors in the decision to build it in the district.
“Toowoomba is our biggest site in Queensland and the world,” he said.
“With Inland Rail, we see this site as being strategically important for us.
“There’s 7.4 hectares of land here and it’s (going to be) a big job.”
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner hailed the project as another breakthrough for the growing Charlton-Wellcamp hub.
“There’s a thirst for AgTech,” he said, “That’s why the Palaszczuk Government delivered $140 million in last year’s budget.
“And that’s why we also committed $8 million at the Bush Summit towards the Farmers Federation.”
Mr Furner said he hadn’t had any contact yet with Transport Minister Mark Bailey about the controversial North-South Road corridor to the area.
Group Manager for FKG Construction Jack Gardiner said it was going to be a big project.
“This site will be home to 200 jobs,” he said.
“It’s great to be here with two proud family businesses.”
Mr Canning said the hub will tie in with the company’s aircraft operation in Queensland.
“Four of our aircraft operate in regional Queensland - including 2 in the Toowoomba Region,” he said.
“We think it’s a massive opportunity to open up business in the Toowoomba Region.”
