Toowoomba’s John Wagner ready to lobby new Federal Labor Government over $170m Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct

One of Toowoomba’s most powerful businessman is ready and willing to fly to Canberra and speak with the new Federal Government over the missing funding for his $170m precinct.

John Wagner is getting ready to fly down to Canberra.

John Wagner says he is ready to fly down to Canberra to meet with the new Labor Government in a bid to secure the final funding he needs to start work on his ambitious Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct.

The change of government on the weekend has breathed new life into the project’s viability, after talks stalled between Wagner Corporation and the Coalition.

While the $170m precinct is included in the new SEQ City Deal, it only has $40m in funding from the State Government, with an equal contribution needed from the federal government.

If approved, the project could contribute $58m into the national economy, inject $60m of incremental spending into the Toowoomba region and deliver more than $90m in state and federal tax revenue during the building phase.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten met with the Wagners over the project while they were in opposition.

Mr Wagner said he was hopeful of a warm reception with Labor’s ministers once the dust had settled in Canberra.

“We’d like to think (the situation is different),” he said.

“The previous government was most unhelpful and cost the region thousands of jobs as a result of (its) inaction.

“I had discussions with Mr Albanese and met with Gen (last year), so as soon as the dust settles, I’d like to re-engage with them.

“If the federal government kicks us in $40m, they get $90m back in 18 months.”

Mr Wagner said Mr Albanese had been impressed by the precinct’s inclusion of a driver training centre to improve road safety among young people, adding that he believed it would be able to cater for Toowoomba’s entire senior school cohort.

“We’ll talk particularly around the driver-training side, which the Prime Minister was very happy with,” he said.

“We think it’s absolutely vital to make driver training a part of the curriculum.”

New Treasurer Jim Chalmer’s office was contacted for comment.

The Wagners still have a frosty relationship with Groom MP Garth Hamilton, accusing him of failing to advocate for the project to the Coalition.

Mr Hamilton, who denies the accusation, suggested the funding should be included in a future Olympics package for Toowoomba.

Mr Wagner isn’t the only Toowoomba figure planning a trip, with former Groom MP John McVeigh travelling to the nation’s capital soon with lobby group TSBE to meet with Labor ministers once parliament was called.

TSBE CEO Ali Davenport said she wanted to talk about the region’s investment opportunities and major industries.

“We will be inviting as many businesses as possible to Canberra, and we’ll be talking to all the ministers with the new government,” she said.

“Obviously ag is really important, as well as Inland Rail, the energy industry, we want to talk renewables and hydrogen, manufacturing, health, education, you name it.

“John does an amazing job at USQ and he was a well-respected member for Groom, so we look forward to what happens next.”