Construction starts on Boeing assembly plant at Wellcamp, Toowoomba
Construction has officially started on Boeing’s massive new assembly plant in Toowoomba, which will build the first Australian-made aircraft in over 50 years.
Construction has started on aerospace giant Boeing Defence’s massive new assembly plant on the outskirts of Toowoomba, which will put together the first Australian-made aircraft in more than 50 years.
Hutchinson Builders and its subcontractors have been at the construction site of the MQ-28 Production Facility next to Wellcamp Airport since last week.
The project, which is the first Boeing final assembly facility to be built outside of North America, is expected to create work for more than 850 tradespeople across the life of the build.
Once completed in late 2026 the plant will assemble the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an unmanned “collaborative combat aircraft” that will assist pilots on missions.
While the exact cost has remained a secret, the project is the anchor tenant within Wagner Corporation’s $550m Aerospace and Defence Precinct.
The federal government has already ordered seven of the aircraft, for a cost of $450m.
Boeing’s MQ-28 global program director Glen Ferguson said the company had already started recruiting for the more than 100 local jobs it needed.
“The MQ-28 Production Facility is indicative of Boeing’s global focus, and continued commitment to fostering a robust Australian aerospace industry,” he said.
“Pending orders, we anticipate it will deliver over 100 jobs during the next decade.
“We have already started building our new workforce at Wellcamp with 12 employees working from the airport office and growing.
“Roles available in future include aircraft assembly, composites manufacturing, advanced equipment operators and mechanics, aircraft mechanics, quality inspectors, warehouse personnel, plus engineering and support roles.”
Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba team leader Sean Lees said the build offered the region a unique opportunity to be part of a significant piece of Australian aerospace history.
“As a local person, I think Boeing setting up a facility in the region is huge for the community and something we will look back on as a significant moment in the future,” he said.
“I love the idea that one of our clever young people who we previously may have lost to a big city can have a hi-tech career with a business like Boeing right here in Toowoomba.
“Having hi-tech manufacturing in Australia is wonderful, let alone in our own back yard.”
Mr Lees also paid tribute to Wagner Corporation, which announced the new defence precinct almost five years ago.
“Boeing is a globally recognised aerospace company and we all know what Wagners have achieved, so to be given the opportunity to work alongside these two hugely successful businesses is a great honour and something I am very proud of,” he said.
“The Wagners team needs enormous credit for bringing this project to Toowoomba and I am very grateful that they chose to partner with Hutchies to give them a hand.”
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