Council lays out ‘incubator’ business plan for old depot

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council will consider turning one of its now-defunct work depots into a “business incubator” for the region’s manufacturing sector.

The council has moved to turn its old Oakey Depot into a manufacturing “business incubator” facility. Photo Brett Wortman

THE Toowoomba Regional Council will consider turning one of its now-defunct work depots into a "business incubator" for the region's burgeoning manufacturing sector.

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald moved the motion at yesterday's ordinary meeting for the council to consider a new use for the closed Oakey Depot.

The massive site just outside the CBD was shut last month, with all staff transitioning to the TRC's new principal depot in Charlton.

Cr McDonald said while the depot's future was still up in the air, he was excited at the prospect of turning it into a facility that could give start-up local businesses a big boost.

He said the "incubator" could also be used to give school-based trainees and apprentices at Oakey State High School a chance to gain employment in manufacturing and services.

"The idea isn't new in terms of that it's happened elsewhere, but an incubator-style project would be great for Oakey," Cr McDonald said.

"Businesses, which might be working out of a house or shed, they can go into an incubator where they receive help and assistance, and transition out of it.

"Why Oakey is good for this concept is the Oakey high school also has a trade training centre.

"This type of manufacturing, servicing model can help those who are studying at the high school to do some practical work with businesses.

"The facilities at the depot itself lend itself to engineering and manufacturing sectors."

While manufacturing has declined nationally in recent years, data compiled by ID Community shows the industry employed more than 6000 people and generated sales of $2.3 billion during 2018-19.

Cr McDonald said the concept would need support and funding from the State Government.

Oakey Chamber of Commerce president Bec Meacham welcomed the proposal, saying the town was ready to have a more diverse industry base.

"I think any re-purposing of that depot that is going to encourage business diversification (is welcomed), and if we can encourage those education pathways, that can only be a positive," she said.

"When you're working in a community, you're more likely to shop there, so losing those council employees from that town is going to hurt, but if we could encourage business back there, that would be great.

"We've taken plenty of hits in the past few years, and the community is ready for some new and exciting things."