Ipswich leaders were blindsided by this week’s announcement of Boeing’s Loyal Wingman facility for Toowoomba’s Wellcamp aerospace precinct.
Despite their electorates taking in the country’s biggest RAAF base and Boeing’s defence contracts at Amberley, both the State Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden and Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann were not advised of Wednesday’s announcement.
Mr Madden said he knew little about Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement with Boeing in Toowoomba.
“I had no notice of this announcement and have not had a briefing either before or subsequent to the announcement,” Mr Madden said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has not made any statements about the project and would not return phone calls this week to the Guardian & Tribune to discuss the council’s vision for the Amberley precinct.
The council’s Defence Ipswich Strategic Summary 2018-2023 report handed down to the previous council highlights opportunities for supporting the development of a defence industry at Amberley and talks up the success stories at Amberley with Boeing Defence Australia, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TAE Aerospace.
Mr Neumann said he was pleased to see jobs for South East Queensland but was disappointed Ipswich was not considered.
“I am disappointed for Ipswich and pleased for Toowoomba,” Mr Neumann said. “There will be jobs here in South East Queensland but it would be good to get a heads up from a Federal and State government point of view.
“Overall I welcome any aerospace work in South East Queensland but I am disappointed that the jobs won’t be locally here in Ipswich.
“I have always supported the co-location of an aerospace industry precinct near the RAAF Base at Amberley. There is sufficient land there if the State and Federal government want to show the political will to get it going.”
Boeing’s Toowoomba manufacturing facility has the potential to create up to 300 jobs for the region.
Wellcamp owner Wagner Corporation Chairman John Wagner said Boeing’s selection of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport was a major boost for the region and went further to tell media they would chase further opportunities for the aerospace precinct.
“We will chase every rabbit down every hole until we fill up the whole Wellcamp Defence and Aerospace Precinct,” Mr Wagner said.
“Attracting investment and global companies such as Boeing to Toowoomba is recognition of the strategic advantages the Wellcamp Airport site offers, including access to the future Inland Rail.”
Boeing Defence Australia provides services to several fleets at RAAF Base Amberley including air combat groups, combat support groups, surveillance and response groups, air mobility groups, defence material organisation and training groups.
Previous State Governments have realised the potential to leverage the growth at RAAF Base Amberley by encouraging defence-related industry nearby.
However the Newman government steered away from the vision saying it should be driven by private investment.
A spokesman for the Premier said growing Queensland’s defence industry was an important part of the state’s Economic Recovery Plan.
“Through the government’s Defence Industries 10-year Roadmap, we aim to create 3500 new full-time jobs locally by 2028,” he said.
“We’ll continue to invest in Queensland’s defence and aerospace industries to create jobs, support local businesses and rebuild our economy.”
Boeing was approached about whether Amberley was considered for the project but did not respond by publication.
