Toowoomba’s Denis Wagner urges Groom MP Garth Hamilton to push for $170m Wellcamp entertainment precinct

It’s a major Queensland project tipped to inject nearly $60m into the national economy, but its founders say the local MP is not doing nearly enough to support it.

Wagner Corp director Denis Wagner; Groom MP Garth Hamilton.

A war of words has erupted between one of Toowoomba’s most powerful families and a federal MP over the viability of a $170m motorsport and entertainment precinct at Wellcamp.

Wagner Corporation has again urged Groom member Garth Hamilton to push the Federal Government to provide the final $40m the project needs, after the State Government included that same amount in the SEQ City Deal.

The project includes a multitude of national and local tourism attractions, including a new racing track to host V8 Supercar rounds, as well as motocross, 4WD, go-karting, festival and camping facilities.

Artist impressions of the Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct.

It comes after an independent cost-benefit analysis by advisory group KPMG found the WEP could not only create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation and inject $58m into the national economy, but also deliver more than $90m in state and federal tax revenue during the building phase.

The report also predicted the precinct could lead to more than $60m in incremental spending in the Toowoomba region.

Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner said the report showed the merits to not only the region but the state.

“The real beneficiaries are the people who will benefit from the 235,000 visitors every year, like the businesses and accommodation providers,” he said.

“What it does is it makes Toowoomba a destination, and to get people to the region you’ve got to hold events.

“It will allow us to hold many events every weekend.”

Mr Wagner said he was concerned Mr Hamilton was not supportive of the project, hoping it would become a topic during the upcoming federal election.

“We have had discussions with all the candidates for Groom and we’re getting very good support for it other than from Garth,” he said.

“I’m really surprised that Garth has not been more proactive in trying to encourage this investment in our local community.

“The increase of tax revenues to the federal government will be in the order of $70m during construction.”

Artist impressions of the Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct.

Mr Hamilton said he did indeed see the merits of the project, but noted an investment opportunity needed to be assessed on all its impacts.

“It was the first week I got elected that I went out to John Wagner and Damian Bell and looked at the site — I got a very firm view of it,” he said.

“I don’t know why that (view) needs to be updated for them.

”It’s clearly a good project and I’ve got no doubt the benefit that will do for the Wagners, (but) not every bit of government funding is right for every project.

“We’re not just interested in return on investment we’re looking at public good.”

Mr Hamilton’s Labor opponent at the election Gen Allpass reaffirmed her support for the project.

“I strongly support progressive and innovative projects that boost the economy within our community, we need to start being open to innovation and economically-viable projects,” she said.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chair John McVeigh said the WEP was a “game-changer” for the Toowoomba region, urging whoever formed government to consider funding it.

“This is a project about generational benefits for our region and the benefits for our tourism sector,” he said.

“It’s a stepping stone towards essential Olympic infrastructure and it’s a solid step towards future opportunities.

“As the former member for Groom, I had the former Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack engaged in discussions on the project.

“While I’m no longer in that role, in my capacity of TSBE, I’d love to be front and centre to any investors, including the Federal Government.”

KPMG FINDINGS

If approved for funding, the WEP could:

• Create 350 jobs during construction

• Tax revenues for both levels of government of $93.1m

• Increase nation’s gross domestic product by $58m