Toowoomba's John Wagner wants LNP, Labor to make $170m Wellcamp entertainment precinct an election promise

A major Toowoomba entertainment precinct that could generate millions for the region is ready to go now — but only if the developer can secure a commitment from the next government.

John Wagner, quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport. Monday, December 20, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The developer behind a $170m entertainment precinct has called on both major parties to make the project an election promise, saying they are ready to put shovels in the ground once the final funding is secured.

Wagner Corporation still needs an additional $40m from the next federal government, to go with $40m in conditional support from the state, to build the international-standard motorsport facility that will cater for V8 Supercars, touring cars and motorcross events among a number of other features.

With no funding included in the latest federal budget and Labor favoured to win the next election, there are fears that the project could be delayed while in a safe LNP seat.

Wagner Corp chairman John Wagner said he was ready to start work the moment a promise was made by the government or the opposition if it gained power — and it didn’t need to include any money to start.

Artist impressions of the Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct.

“We’ll keep lobbying both sides of government until we get the money, because without the money it doesn’t work,” he said.

“What was said to the government is we don’t need the money to start, what we do need is a commitment that we’ll get the money. What we’ve said is they can pay it off over three to four years, that makes it even easier.”

Mr Wagner said the project would be a big win for the Toowoomba region and its small businesses.

“The Labor guys have been very supportive of the project, they haven’t promised funding but they have taken the time to work out what it means to our region,” he said.

“The people who will benefit are all the small businesses, they’re the ones that need to have their say.

“It’s going to affect hundreds of small businesses in the electorate of Groom (if support isn’t gained) – they’re the big losers, not us.

“Motels, pubs, coffee shops, the list goes on and on.”

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.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport said she was disappointed to not see a commitment for the project in the federal budget.

“In terms what would transform our region, I think $40m for the Federal Government to spend on that motorsport facility would be great,” she said.

“If we’ve got 30 events a year, we’ve got reasons to build more infrastructure, more public transport and hospitality and accommodation sites.”

Labor’s Groom MP Gen Allpass gestured that she was supportive of the project, but stopped short of saying Labor would commit to it if it won government.

“The people of Groom deserve a government and a local member that will deliver on its promises and actually has a plan for a better future,” she said.

“85 per cent of the promised new funding for Queensland road and rail projects isn’t even in the Morrison Government's budget.

“Let’s get me elected first so we can finally have someone who will get funding for new projects and actually delivers on the promise.”