5 Toowoomba businesses riding the construction wave

DESPITE the downturn in mining, Toowoomba is experiencing one of its biggest construction booms to date. Here are 5 Toowoomba companies riding the wave.

DESPITE the downturn in mining, Toowoomba is experiencing one of its biggest construction booms to date.

With cranes in the skyline and heavy machinery a regular sight on our roads, things are clearly going ahead in the Garden City.

Here are five major Toowoomba companies that are riding the wave caused by the construction boom.

Wagners director Denis Wagner with some of the heavy machinery. Picture: Contributed

1. WAGNERS

THERE is no denying that construction materials and mining services company Wagners is one of the major companies to fly the flag for progress in Toowoomba.

In 2014 it built the first greenfield public airport in Australia now known as Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and Business Park.

Plans will soon be submitted to Toowoomba Regional Council for a 4000sq m transport and warehouse depot - the latest addition to the business park.

It comes after Schlumberger, the world's largest oilfield services company, opened in the park, creating about 100 jobs for the region.

Developer Denis Wagner said the community should not underestimate development in Toowoomba.

"There's a lot of interest in the business park now from aviation industries, industries that without an airport wouldn't even consider Toowoomba as an option, and a couple of these interests will come to fruition in the next 12 months," he said.

Mr Wagner said future airport developments would mean "jobs, jobs, jobs" for residents.

"If we can get one 747 (cargo) freight aircraft in per day that will generate 1052 jobs locally (and) we expect two more (airline) services per week to start later this year," he said.

However Mr Wagner emphasised the importance of keeping work within the region.

"Large projects in town haven't necessarily met their obligations to employ locals, it should be an obligation to use local companies. In my view there is a responsibility on federal and state governments to support genuine Australian companies," he said.

• For job opportunities visit wagners.com.au or wellcamp.com.au

McNab built new childcare centre Learning Pathways Child Care Centre and Kindergarten which opened last month. Pictured is centre director Brooke Chittenden and McNab Builders project manager Alan O'Kennedy with kids Harrison Kelk 3 (sitting), (far left) Connor Gooding 3 (blue eyes) and Liam Kelk, 6 (far right). . Picture: Nev Madsen

2. MCNAB

THE year is shaping up to being one of the "best years in the company's history" for building construction and civil company McNab, according to marketing and sales manger Steve Kelk.

Mr Kelk said the company entered the year on a high, coming off a strong 2015.

"A number of years ago we put in place some specific strategies that would see us continue to grow in the event of a mining or gas downturn, and we're seeing positive results from this approach," he said.

"Locally, there has been a substantial increase in projects getting the green light. Not only is this positive for Toowoomba, for a company operating all throughout Queensland, it's been great to see our staff working on major construction projects in their home town again."

• McNab will be continue to employ new staff throughout the year, visit www.mcnab.net.au for current and future vacancies.

3. FKG  GROUP

WITH offices in the Garden City, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Mackay, Newcastle and Roma, Toowoomba's FKG Group provides integrated construction, engineering and support services for the property, resources, infrastructure and government sectors across Australia.

FKG Group recently scored a $53.3 million contract to build a Cairns Performing Arts Centre and has started works on a $50m Cairns Aquarium.

• For FKG Group's latest jobs and career opportunities click here

Brad Watts (left) and Shane Walker from First Grade recruitment agency. . Picture: Nev Madsen

4. FIRST GRADE RECRUITMENT

A SUCCESSFUL labour hire company purposely opened an office in Toowoomba last month to ride the city's construction wave.

First Grade Recruitment partners with businesses and industries to deliver game-changing recruitment and workforce development solutions.

The agency went from a construction focus to providing opportunities in sectors such as civil and commercial, state and federal government and recruitment, oil and gas, mining and logistics.

It is co-directed by Toowoomba born and bred Shane Walker who said the region was a perfect match for the firm.

"We saw the opportunity for our business to expand to this region and I guess take advantage of the number of major projects that are being developed," he said.

• For more information phone [phone] or visit www.firstgrade.com.au

Hutchinson Builders. . Picture: Bev Lacey

5. HUTCHINSON BUILDERS

HUTCHINSON Builders is still working for mining companies QGC and Origin.

Area manager Robert Weymouth said it was nothing like it was but they recently completed some works on the Miles Airport and modular camp organisations.

He said in the wake of the mining downturn, the company had diversified its work to the civil subdivision market with work in Glenvale, Wilsonton, Wyreema and Westbrook.

Staff have also been contracted to build units in Brisbane and work on service stations and highway service centres in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Mr Weymouth was confident the company would maintain its workforce and $200 million turnover.

"(The) development and construction situation is good in Toowoomba, we finished the (new) library building, East Village retail centre and City Golf Club golfing range," he said.

"We're also pricing a lot of work like the Bunnings store and we got four schools to price, there's a lot of work about to start with general commercial construction which is great and creates a lot of opportunities."

"I just think with the mining downturn, there is still work happening, it is not like it was but lots of commercial construction coming through. They have been a few negative things with smaller businesses but what we have seen is a lot of potential work coming through and when we price it, they are real projects so we're feeling positive and happy with where we are at."

Originally published as 5 Toowoomba businesses riding the construction wave