Toowoomba’s John Wagner calls on Liberals, Labor to make Wellcamp entertainment precinct an election promise

John Wagner said the region would miss out on an extra 400,000 visitors every year if one key party couldn’t get behind the $170m entertainment precinct proposal.

(From left) Labor candidate for Groom Genevieve Allpass; Toowoomba businessman John Wagner; Groom MP Garth Hamilton.

Businessman John Wagner has urged both sides of politics to make the final funding required for Toowoomba’s massive motorsport and entertainment precinct an election promise, calling out Groom MP Garth Hamilton for being “hot and cold” on the project.

Wagner Corporation’s $170m proposal to create a tourism mecca focused around motorsport, live music and weekend attractions needs another $40m from the Federal Government to make it viable.

The precinct also features a space for Wagner Corp to build key infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic Games, which will need to be finalised within five years.

Having secured $40m from the State Government, Mr Wagner said the success of a project that could draw 400,000 visitors every year hinged on federal support.

He said Mr Hamilton needed to lobby his federal colleagues to stump up the cash.

“He needs to get behind it and as the local member, if he costs this region 400,000 visitors a year, then it’s a pretty serious blight on what the government stands for,” Mr Wagner said.

“He is hot and cold on it.

“It should be an election promise for both parties and Garth needs to get right up on the front foot and be the first to promise it.”

Mr Hamilton said he was in favour of the concept, but stopped short of pledging to make it an election promise.

“I think there are a lot of good options, with a view of Olympic inclusion,” he said.

“There are a whole heap of projects to take into account (and first) I need to raise the need for Toowoomba to receive more funding.

“We have been overlooked so far in terms of Olympic inclusion — I’m pushing that narrative strongly, but I want to make sure any projects I support have broad community support.”

Labor’s candidate for Groom Genevieve Allpass also didn’t indicate the opposition would make it an election promise, but said she was interested.

“At this stage my focus as a candidate is getting out and listening to the community about the priorities for our region,” she said.

“I know the Wagner Corporation has invested significantly in our area, and I look forward to engaging with them in the lead up to the election to hear more about their proposal.”