Toowoomba's house prices climb by Sherele Moody 21st January 2017 September quarter's activities were slow compared to previous sales periods. "It's a reflection that there are fewer people who are willing and able to buy properties at the moment,” Mr Snow said. "There is a hint of tentativeness from buyers. "I believe there is a sense of caution from buyers generally, they probably don't know why they're being cautious but there is a sense HOUSE buyers are waking because of the low turnover of caution. from their winter and of properties in the three spring slumber as months. "We've had a very positive Toowoomba's market and active October and Highfields had the highest moves towards a November and I would be quarterly media price with "positive and active” expecting the last quarter of that suburb's median sitting summer, the region's 2016 to show good numbers on $525,000. property leader says. of sales. East Toowoomba recorded The city's house prices lifted "We had a very good final a quarterly median of but unit prices dropped in quarter of 2015 and I'm $430,000, Centenary the three months to looking forward to seeing Heights hit $367,000, South September 31. that happen at the end of Toowoomba's median was 2016.” Real Estate Institute of $359,250 and Kearneys Queensland property Spring's median was Mr Snow said the region's statistics reveal the region's $355,000. rental vacancy rate was median house price rose sitting around 3%. Advertisement 1.5% to $350,000 and the A total of 341 Toowoomba median unit price fell 8.1% "We may have seen a slight houses changed hands in to $285,000 in the the September quarter and improvement in vacancy September quarter. 78 units sold for a median of rates but we're not The house price rise over 285,000. the past three months predicting a significant Centenary Heights had the follows the region's annual change in either direction most home sales with 26 median sale price drop of properties going to new over the coming 12 0.6% and the five-yearly owners. rise of 19.6% to $292,750. months,” he said. REIQ Toowoomba zone Quarterly medians were not chair David Snow said the available for all suburbs

Toowoomba welcomes Inland Rail progress news

Date: 10th Jan 2017 the project, users of alternative infrastructure, and the broader economy.

"This underscores why investment in economically significant projects, such as Inland Rail, should be preferred to other more speculative projects such as high speed rail, for which the net public benefit to the Australian economy is far less established.

"ALC 2016 election priorities document Getting the Supply Chain Right and video Now is the time To Get the Supply Chain The news that phase two will be critical to progress Right highlighted the critical of market testing for this nationally significant role the Inland Rail project private sector infrastructure project," ALC will play in the future involvement in the MD Michael Kilgariff says. supporting more efficient 1700km freight rail freight movement. connection between "ALC’s 2017-2018 Budget Melbourne and Brisbane submission encourages the ority List identifies Inland will be held later this government to commit to Rail as a Priority Project, month or early next funding for construction to noting the long-term month has met with allow industry to plan for benefits to potential users of Australian Logistics when operations Council (ALC) approval. commence. "To maximise its effectiveness, the inland rail Having highlighted Inland "Further government route must have end to end Rail as a priority project in support for the 1,700km link connectivity and include its 2017-18 Budget between Brisbane and efficient linkages to key submission, ALC says the Melbourne is essential to freight hubs and intermodal project will improve ensure this project comes to terminals, such as movement of freight fruition, and in so doing, to InterLinkSQ – a master- between Victoria and complete the spine of the planned logistics, Queensland. national freight rail network. warehousing and industrial estate located 13km west of "Private sector involvement "Infrastructure Toowoomba." in the delivery of Inland Rail Australia’s Infrastructure Pri

Toowoomba’s new data and technology hub to compliment its transport and logistics sectors

Paul Syvret, The Courier-Mail February 24, 2017

Just a few years ago Toowoomba was bleeding jobs because of drought and poor agricultural commodity prices, and losing major manufacturing employers.

The initial catalyst for change was the advent of the coal seam gas boom, which saw the city emerge as the staging post and services

TOOWOOMBA is not local business leaders on centre for the billions being exactly the centre of the board, bound for a trade invested in the gas fields. world, but as the largest mission in China. Still, CSG is the gift that inland regional city in keeps on giving, with Australia after Canberra, it TSBE executive chairman industry majors such as is one of the strongest Shane Charles says this is Santos and Origin spending and most diversified just the beginning, and is hundreds of millions locally economies in hopeful of daily air cargo on maintenance and Queensland. links to China by the end of the year. ongoing operations. “Put that sort of money into a Think of it as a hub – a “The old adage that regional economy every transport and logistics hub, infrastructure equals year and it is one hell of a a freight hub, services hub prosperity is as great as it whack,” says Mr Charles. and soon to be a data and has ever been,” he said. technology hub. It is this activity, for For Toowoomba this means example, that convinced It is a regional centre where not only public money for investment giant QIC to the collective thinking construction of the second spend $500 million extends far beyond its range crossing and the developing the Grand corner of Queensland. long-awaited inland rail link, Central shopping centre and has seen a raft of new Last October a Qantas but the entrepreneurship of accommodation and A330 roared off the tarmac locals like the Wagner hospitality business spring of the city’s new Wellcamp family who built Wellcamp up in the city. airport with more than 200 Airportg heavyweight FKG,

New era of transport to expand Toowoomba Region’s horizons

Paul Syvret, The Courier-Mail February 24, 2017

already got customers lined up, and expects to move 10- 15,000 units in the first year of operations in 2018.

Ms Reynolds stresses that InterLink is on the existing western rail link, and thus not reliant on inland rail.

“Each year there are 3.5 million tonnes of ag exports from the Toowoomba region, and only 180,000 of it goes IN REAL estate the old syndicate of 84 mostly local out on rail.” Last year the adage holds that position investors. majority of Queensland’s is everything. This would cotton crop was shipped out appear to be especially “Rail,” says Ms Reynolds, through Port Botany in true with the $50 million “is this missing piece in Sydney, while farmers first stage of an Queensland. We do have desperate to move the $1 intermodal freight hub one of Australia’s most billion chick pea harvest being built west of efficient road transport resorted to bringing in trucks Toowoomba. networks but rail is under- from as far afield as Victoria. utilised. The project, the vision of “Our strategic objective is former mayor Ross Miller, She conceded InterLinkSQ delivering supply chain who began accumulating “is a bit more beholden (to solutions for regional land at the site more than a government) than we’d like”, producers for whom one of and is pushing for further decade ago, sits on the the biggest costs is western rail line, adjacent to upgrades to the existing rail transport,” Ms Reynolds the Toowoomba second line. says. range crossing and on the The company – which is edge of the planned corridor As Toowoomba Mayor Paul undertaking a phased for the inland rail. Antonio points out: “Half of development of the site all the product that goes The project is funded, says which it is eventually hoped through the Port of Brisbane InterLinkSQ chief executive will shift up to 80,000 goes from or through Michelle Reynolds, by a containers a year – has Toowoomba.”

Toowoomba identified as property growth hotspot

PRD NATIONWIDE 30th April 2017 Tony Brasier, said it was all about matching potential buyers looking for affordable property with an area that still maintained strong growth. "A key development which has influenced the strong average price growth levels in the region is the Wellcamp Airport, located 15.6km from the Toowoomba CBD. TOOWOOMBA has been These key areas identified, identified as an not only highlight price "This airport caters to affordable property affordability but also solid international flights, providing hotspot in a new report fundamentals for Toowoomba with ample by PRDnationwide. sustainable growth. opportunity to promote the area as an international PRDnationwide's Top 10 PRDnationwide National destination and a transit-hub Affordable Major Regional Research Manager Dr for business." Dr Mardiasmo Areas Report, just Diaswati (Asti) Mardiasmo said. released, includes the said Toowoomba wasn't Toowoomba region. just affordable, but a "The PRDnationwide Top 10 growth hotspot. Affordable Major Regional After 15 years of strong Areas Report, identifies growth in the Garden City, "Toowoomba has affordable regions that assist it looks like things won't experienced solid growth in the battle to enter the slow down any time soon. rates over the past 15 property market and combat years (to 2016), averaging The report was compiled to the capital cities and metro 7.9% growth for houses help people seeking an regional markets that and 8.4% for units," he affordable property and continue to see property said. highlights regional areas price growth and inflation across Queensland, PRDnationwide Chairman levels beyond the standard Victoria and NSW. and Managing Director wage increase," he said.

First look at $235m rail project transforming Toowoomba Andrew Backhouse | 20th Mar 2017

show the community what had been "in their heads".

"We've designed, lived and breathed the project for years," she said.

"Now we have the ability to bring it out and show other people what is about to

start construction. NEW video is showing a and InterLinkSQ chief planned $235 million rail executive officer Michelle "It's a massive project." transfer hub in detail not Reynolds said the new Ms Reynolds added there seen before. video showed it would be was a perception moving just that. InterlinkSQ is a Freight freight from trucks to trains Terminals master-planned The project shows rows of was difficult, but said with logistics estate being freight containers, cranes the right technology it constructed 13km west of and silos, sprawled over a could be done easily. Toowoomba in Charlton. vast area.

"That's why we've spent The rail hub will have km of Conveys of trucks are seen money designing a project frontage on the existing navigating a large road area that can get rail and road West Moreton railway line, and trains being loaded with working together." connecting to the Port of produce.

Brisbane and the planned An artist's impression of the Melbourne to Brisbane InterLinkSQ project. Inland Rail project. Ms Reynolds said the The project is being called project development team the "inland port of Australia" hoped the video would

Multi million-dollar sales in Toowoomba cement its prestige property market

Ellen Lutton Apr 4, 2017

set on 4047 square metres of elevated, landscaped land. The house had been meticulously renovated to a luxurious standard and included beautiful open plan living rooms, spacious bedrooms, a wide central hall, 12-foot ceilings and large deep verandahs. It featured stunning

outdoor living spaces complete Toowoomba is home to of support for high end with in-ground pool, rolling some of Queensland’s property in Toowoomba,” lawns with large mature trees, most beautiful historic she says. a self sufficient guest cottage homes but when a six- 9 Campbell Street, East and a floodlit tennis court. bedroom property in the Toowoomba, sold last eastern suburbs recently It’s one of a number of high month for $2.2 sold for $2.2 million, there end deals that have been million Photo: Webster were a few shocked faces. secured this year and it’s no Cavanagh Toowoomba aberration; last year’s It is, after all, a suburb in “That area in East records show the highest what is essentially a Toowoomba is incredibly sale in East Toowoomba country town, albeit a large tightly held and highly was $2.5 million but the one — but local Webster sought-after — and not just record that remains Cavanagh agent Kirstie for the suburb but that street unbroken was set in 2015, Smolenski says name in particular,” she when the highest sale Toowoomba’s prestige says. “I had four offers at recorded was $3.2 million. market is not just well the tender process.” established but firing on all Ms Smolenski says The property in hot fronts. Toowoomba’s prestige contention was 9 Campbell “Some were surprised that I market is supported largely Street, East Toowoomba, a cracked the $2 million mark by wealthy rural families. gorgeous colonial residence but I wasn’t — there’s a lot

Australian inland rail project: Land swap to seal deal for Queensland Michael Madigan, May 2, 2017 farmers would inevitably mount if the route went ahead.

In exchange for the corridor, the State Government wants the hundreds of millions of dollars saved in land resumption to fund rail and road infrastructure.

Mr Katter said he was 100 per cent behind a potentially lucrative deal which could ignite the state’s economy.

The inland rail, first proposed in the late 19th century, is THE Queensland The proposed rail route — seen by many backers as a Government is believed to with a Queensland pivotal project capable of be considering a lucrative component running from injecting new life into the deal with Canberra on the Yelarbon near the NSW Queensland economy and historic inland rail border to the Port of firing up export trade. proposal, swapping an Brisbane via Toowoomba — existing rail corridor for has already sparked anger The rail route offered by the potentially hundreds of among farmers who say Government would pass millions of dollars in new land resumptions would Toowoomba’s Wellcamp infrastructure money. claim some of the state’s private airport, allowing most fertile agricultural land. potentially thousands of primary producers to access Prime Minister Malcolm international flights out of Turnbull has all but The State Government is Wellcamp to China. confirmed the century-old believed to be considering signing over ownership of Melbourne-Brisbane inland The Federal Government rail proposal will feature in the existing Goondiwindi to Toowoomba rail corridor – allocated $593 million to buy next week’s Federal land for the project in last Budget, and insists it part of the South West Rail System – to the year’s Budget, but that money remains a top Coalition remains largely unspent. priority. Commonwealth. There is speculation the Asked if there would be a The offer of the existing corridor could save not only outlay this year could Budget allocation, Mr increase to $1 billion as the Turnbull said: “It’s a very the cost of land resumptions, but millions Government attempts to high priority, so you can join stamp its brand on a major the dots.’’ more in potentially lengthy and costly legal battles that nation-building project.

Inland rail on track for big budget boost SUE NEALES May 6, 2017

regions towards east coast ports.

While it is possible for containers to be shipped by rail from Melbourne to Brisbane, the route taken is circuitous, slow, costly and unreliable, with freight often disappearing for days, “lost” or misplaced on sidings awaiting train connections on different rail networks. The ambitious but to produce $100bn of food The Inland Rail project would overdue $10 billion inland by 2030 without improved be built to get freight rail project linking rail infrastructure in between Brisbane and Melbourne and Brisbane southeastern Australia. Sydney in less than 24 via Wagga Wagga, hours, on freight trains Parkes, Narromine, Moree While the critical Inland Rail capable of carrying double- and Toowoomba looks set project currently falls under high stacked containers. to be the big the responsibility of infrastructure winner in Infrastructure and Transport “Freight and transport is one next week’s federal Minister Darren of the biggest costs for budget. Chester, The Weekend farmers; if we can make rail Australian understands Mr more efficient, more reliable It appears $1bn in Joyce — also National Party and quicker, we will cut infrastructure spending has leader and Deputy Prime costs and get more freight been allocated to kickstart Minister — may seize the off the road and on to construction of some of the infrastructure portfolio for trains,” NFF president Fiona 500km of new track needed himself in a tipped post- Simson said this week. in regional NSW to connect Budget cabinet reshuffle to the existing 1200km of next month. “We are not saying the only track in Victoria, NSW and infrastructure spending has southeast Queensland that The “nation-building” and to be around rail — in will also need to be “transformational” Inland northern Australia for upgraded and straightened. Rail project — to be ready example, the sealing-the- to run its first freight trains Beef Roads program is The need for the backbone between Melbourne and critical — but farmers and rail system is being heavily Brisbane by 2024 — is agribusinesses have to pushed by the National regarded as essential to have options about where Farmers Federation and replace fragmented, slow they can send their federal Agriculture Minister and rundown rail networks produce, who they sell to Barnaby Joyce, who believe that currently tend to run and which ports they can Australia cannot hope to solely east-west, from rural use, and Inland Rail offers a double its agricultural sector lot of other options for all.

Toowoomba land values lead the State Tony Moore Mar 2, 2016 the river (minus 10 per cent) and Cowan Cowan on Moreton Island (minus 9.8 per cent).

Inner-city Brisbane units showed land value growth of 14.3 per cent to October 2015, marginally down on the 14.4 per cent growth in the previous 12 months. Toowoomba is the central surprise packet in Queensland “declined or Brisbane’s residential land Queensland’s land values remained static”. values increased by 9.9 per showing land on the Great cent in the 12 months to Queensland’s Valuer- Dividing Range surging October 2015. General Neil Bray on by 18.5 per cent on the Wednesday outlined the There were no increases in back of a new airport and land value increases and land value in the inner- the soon-to-start $1.6 decreases to around 72 per western suburbs billion second range cent of land of Graceville, Sherwood, St crossing. in Queensland’s local Lucia, Richlands, Pallara, However Mount Isa is the government areas. Jindalee, nor at Calamvale. concern for Queensland In Brisbane the biggest land Queensland valuations with land values falling an value increases are at show average residential average of 17.9 per cent as Mansfield (26.9 per cent), land increases of: the resources sector Wishart (24.6 per cent), contracts. • Toowoomba 18.5 per cent Taigum (19.6 per cent) and • Brisbane 9.9 per cent Overall land values in Mount Gravatt East (23.9 • Sunshine Coast 4.8 per south-east Queensland, per cent). cent coastal holiday centres and Brisbane’s biggest falls • Gold Coast 14.4 per cent Toowoomba increased, were at industrial areas like • Cairns 9.2 per cent. while land in rural and Bulwer near the mouth of

Toowoomba property market ripe as growth projects underway

REIQ president Antonia Mercorella | 16th Jan 2016

THE South West region market is looking promising with Toowoomba a standout performer for sales. The outlook for the Toowoomba market remains positive with several major projects under way and planned. The Second Range Crossing project has started long-term trend of generally Typically from Brisbane, the and the announcement the conservative growth. Gold Coast and the Tweed project's developer Nexus is area, they are all part of the With Toowoomba forging required to employ only treechange trend. people living within a 70km ahead, the nearby Southern radius bodes well for the Downs property markets are Investors are also said to be region. starting to reap the benefits. attracted to the area on the back of good rental yields, Investors are enjoying A multimillion-dollar abattoir particularly within Warwick. is also in the planning stage record low vacancy levels and the QIC redevelopment with a 1.3% vacancy rate Ipswich may be trailing the in the city centre will result at the end of September. other regions in terms of time on market and vendor in the net lettable area for This is the lowest rate of discounting, but it was the retail increasing vacancy the region has standout performer for sales significantly. recorded in the history of activity. The number of cranes REIQ's rental survey. This comes as no surprise visible on the city's skyline While Toowoomba's to local agents given the is a clear representation of property prices are relative affordability of the the momentum behind affordable relative to region and the strong rental construction and is creating Brisbane, areas such as yields being achieved. optimism for the market. Warwick and Stanthorpe Property price growth to the are even more so. Owner occupiers are starting to see good value level seen over 2014 is not Local agents say new for money in suburbs likely to be repeated any residents in the area are outside of metropolitan time soon and the coming predominantly owner Brisbane. year is expected to be more occupiers. in line with the region's

Toowoomba projects in Infrastructure Plan 14th Mar 2016 blueprint and a clear four- year pipeline of work that will meet the future demands of the area's population, and deliver economic growth and jobs year after year." However Opposition spokesman on infrastructure Tim Nicholls said the much-touted "plan" delivered nothing for the Darling Downs region, THE Toowoomba Second government and Market Led but rehashed, recycled and Range Crossing and Proposals to encourage reused projects with no Warrego Hwy Upgrade new private sector way to fund them. Program have been investment. "Through the SIP, the named in the State Releasing the plan Darling Downs region now Government's first State yesterday, Premier has an infrastructure Infrastructure Plan in Palaszczuk and Deputy more than three years. "Unfortunately Darling Premier and Minister for Downs has been let down The government said the Infrastructure, Local by the Palaszczuk Labor plan would drive the Government, and Planning Government's lacklustre Darling Downs' economy Jackie Trad also announced infrastructure plan," Mr and deliver the the establishment of a new Nicholls said. infrastructure the region State Infrastructure Fund, needed to grow and with an initial investment of "The only projects identified generate jobs. $500 million. for the region are the Toowoomba Second Range Premier Annastacia Ms Trad said the State Crossing and upgrades to Palaszczuk said the long- Infrastructure Plan also the Warrego Highway. term plan committed to outlined a clear, four-year significant reforms to the pipeline of projects to "These projects were way Queensland planned, provide the private sector already under way and prioritised and invested in with the confidence to invest happening - again it shows infrastructure, and it in people and resources by a complete lack of vision. followed the establishment knowing what projects will "These projects also come of Building Queensland as be in market when. with significant funding from an independent the Federal Coalition infrastructure advisor to Government.

6 big ticket projects transforming Toowoomba Tara Miko | 17th Mar 2016 Workers are on site at present and employment is expected to ramp up next year during the bulk and intensive building period. You can expect to drive on the bypass in 2018. 5. Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport WHILE other projects in the city's western corridor have either taken shape or will shortly, the loftiest goal of Site at Wellcamp of the proposed freight terminal being built by InterLinKSQ. them all is still a fair way off.

But it's no secret that the 1. InterlinkSQ With a Caltex service ultimate objective of the station and convenience The 200 hectare InterlinkSQ nation's newest airport is store, Red Rooster and estate carries a $235 million international flights - either Coolabah Tree Café price tag and the ambitious passenger or freight. planned to open on goal to open up the western September 1 this year, the And with two new routes rail corridor and link the centre will give long-haul to Cairns and Melbourne lau region's freight to the truck drivers a viable rest nched this week on the Melbourne and Brisbane stop option and western back of the ports. travellers more option. popular Toowoomba- 2. Meat processing plant Sydney path and a highly 4. Second Range. successful trial flight to Asia, Developer FKG Group Excavation works on the the Brisbane West lodged plans for an $80 Second Range Crossing are Wellcamp Airport's million abattoir in the progressing, fences aspirations is certainly Witmack Industrial Park, installed and geo-technical within reach. 10km west of the Garden site testing being carried out City, with the council last 6. Grand Central on the $1.6 billion landmark 3. Charlton travel centre project. The $500 million redevelopment is big TRUCKERS and travellers The long-awaited 41km business for rejoice - a new service project is being developed Toowoomba and works at centre is set to east your by international consortium the site are charging ahead. western travel plans with Nexus and its design, which development progressing includes open cuttings Foundation works are on the Caltex Charlton rather than tunnels, has nearing completion and Travel Centre and Truck been recognised as one of businesses are lining up to Stop. the best major construction get a piece of the shopping projects in the world. mecca when completed.

Grand Central redevelopment powering ahead Elouise Quinlivan | 16th Feb 2016

THE QIC Grand Central Gantries are bridge-like structure over Dent St and redevelopment continues overhead structures with a works have started on the to push ahead with the platform supporting structure of the multi-level removal of a section of equipment such as a crane. car park at the corner of the gantry along Margaret Duggan and Little Sts," he Some of the temporary St. said. hoardings that are adorned About 90 per cent of the with the First Coat artworks "In addition, precast building foundations are from last year will also be concrete panels and other now complete at the site. removed. elements of the Margaret Street facade have recently Probuild will conduct night Grand Central centre been installed." works until Wednesday to manager Shaine Beveridge remove the gantry on the said construction was going Mr Beveridge said it would southern side of Margaret well on the $500 million be a busy year ahead with St, between the pedestrian redevelopment. some of the new retail crossing and Victoria St. shops planned to be open "Probuild is continuing to by Christmas. progress with the retail

Infrastructure brings reward for Toowoomba

Amy Lyne | 12th Feb 2016

international exports and live in a big country," she attracting facilities like the said. Monsanto cotton research "GRDC has a lot of facility and proposed FKG investment in the Darling meat processing plant. Downs and currently has GRDC regional manager research projects in north Sharon O'Keeffe Toowoomba, Gatton, said the new office would Warwick and Kingaroy." benefit 2,500 grains Ms O'Keeffe said the growers on the Darling vibrant rural area was Downs as well as growers attractive to researchers state-wide and in close proximity to Sharon O'Keeffe.Contributed "Toowoomba was felt to two major universities,

TOOWOOMBA is be a good hub location Department of Agriculture continuing to for serving the and the Northern Grower strengthen its Queensland grains Alliance. industry, which is reputation as an "I think Toowoomba is important to look after," agriculture hub with the ticking all the boxes in she said. opening of a new terms of agronomy and research agency. The GRDC manages all research," she said. research conducted for The Grains Research and The office will be located the grains industry which Development Corporation near the top of the range includes 25 crops such as is relocating some offices and is expected to be wheat, barley and from Canberra and into open later this year. regional areas including sorghum.

Toowoomba. Ms O'Keeffe said the

Vital transport links such airport was a huge draw as Wellcamp airport, card for the GRDC to come to Toowoomba. Second Range Crossing and possible inland rail "Having the airport are strengthening the certainly put it on the list; region's agriculture we need to have some industry, allowing for amenities because we

BYPASS: Latest update on $1.6 billion project

Andrew Backhouse | 23rd Feb 2016

with other teams engaged in independent archaeologist the critical preconstruction to ensure that any cultural works such as surveys and heritage claims or concerns geotechnical investigations. regarding the project were properly recognised and "I can advise the House that protected. we are now improving connectivity to Boundary St Nexus Toowoomba Second with the installation of new Range Crossing Fly ARCHAEOLOGICAL work ramps at a total cost of $5 Through. s and detailed design million, of which $1.5 million Mr Bailey said the work are the focus of will be contributed by the department was working Toowoomba Second Queensland Government, closely with the traditional Range Crossing $1 million by the owners, the Western Wakka contractor Nexus, Commonwealth and $2.5 Wakka people and the Parliament was told million from Toowoomba Jagera people. Regional Council." today. "The crossing will deliver Transport and Main Roads He said the works would real benefits for the region, minister Mark Bailey deliver improved access to including time savings of up updated the House today the growing industrial and to 40 minutes by bypassing with the latest on the commercial areas to grow the current Toowoomba project. jobs in the region, improve range; the diversion of access to the growing heavy vehicles away from "This project has industrial and commercial the Toowoomba CBD and tremendous significance areas surrounding the "very Withcott in the Lockyer for regional economic impressive" Wellcamp Valley." development and for airport west of Toowoomba, He said freight of all sizes, productivity and supply better traffic distribution into including explosives and chain opportunities, as Toowoomba and improved oversize loads, would have well as training and skills emergency vehicle a faster and safer route to development," he said. response. and from key markets and "The contractor, Nexus The overpass bridges over would avoid up to 18 sets of Infrastructure, is building its the westbound lanes of the traffic lights. team in Toowoomba with Warrego Highway will be "As the Minister for Road major construction works to made longer to leave room Safety, of course I am begin in coming months, for a possible cloverleaf link extremely pleased to see with the road expected to be between the two roads the improved road safety operational by late 2018." when traffic numbers features as part of this warrant it," he said. Mr Bailey said Nexus project." Infrastructure had a team of Mr Bailey said his 85 working hard on the department had engaged an detailed design of the road,

Infrastructure Projects push Toowoomba land values up by 18.5% in one year Andrew Backhouse | 4th Mar 2016

Yarraman which recorded a minor reduction. Valuer-General Neil Bray said the commercial market in Toowoomba was generally unchanged except for significant increases around Mort St. There were minor to moderate increases in shopping centres and no change in the Toowoomba industrial market.

Rates are set by local Big ticket infrastructure projects have pushed land values up. governments under the Local Government Act 2009 when they determine their INFRASTRUCTURE They showed that as of annual budgets. projects have pushed up October 1 last year, land values in the residential land values had There were minor to Toowoomba region. increased by 24.1% cent significant increases in most since the last valuation But that doesn't mean townships within the council issued in 2014. residents will be forced to area with the exception of pay more in council rates. When all land is taken into "The setting of rates is account the rise was Significant projects like based on a number of 18.5%. the Grand Central factors - valuations are only redevelopment,Toowoomba Land in Toowoomba itself one of those factors." Second Range was impacted by a number The valuations will take Crossing and Wellcamp of significant completed and effect on June 30 this year. Airport have pushed the proposed projects. values up. Ratepayers will not Residential and multi-unit necessarily feel the full The Queensland's Valuer- markets in Toowoomba and impact of the rise. General's annual land Highfields saw moderate to valuations covered 65,302 significant increases while "It is important that properties in the properties suitable for landowners realise that Toowoomba Regional residential development valuation notices are not Council local government also significantly increased rate notices," Mr Bray said. area. in value.

2000 jobs in Surat Basin coal & gas projects

Amy Lyne | 7th Jan 2016

"As the industry normalises into a period of sustainability, the new pipeline infrastructure needs to be fed with gas so smaller investments and developments like this will follow from the first gas boom the Surat Basin experienced," he said. Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry manager Trudi Bartlett THOUSANDS of jobs are Queensland's economy," he welcomed the positive set to be created in the said. injection the projects would Surat Basin thanks to a provide for the region, in QCG announced last month revival of the region's particular for Dalby. it would support the local resources sector. jobs for the Charlie 1 joint Mr Bourne said the project The Darling Downs venture with China National could continue for up to 15 region's miners will have Offshore Oil Corporation years with 600 million a much merrier Christmas and Tokyo Gas. tonnes of coal available at after it was announced Wilkie Creek, as well as a The development comprises that upwards of 2000 jobs licence to mine Horse 300-400 wells, a large will be created in the next Creek, near Chinchilla, compression station and few years as a series of which holds up to 500 associated pipeline and major projects million tonne. facilities that will feed into commence. the existing gas and water "The community is very Toowoomba and Surat infrastructure at Woleebee excited to hear that Basin Enterprise chief Creek. something else is executive officer Ben Lyons happening. Every little bit "It’s good to see new job said the developments were helps and certainly adds generation occurring in the fantastic news for the up," Ms Bartlett said. Surat Basin region” Mr region. Lyons said. "People are definitely "QGC's $1.7 billion Charlie excited from an employment Mr Lyons said he expected project alone will create perspective and from a the Charlie 1 project would 1600 construction jobs contractor perspective we be typical of gas field during the two-year have a lot of small developments in construction phase, with the businesses that are Queensland for the next 10- project creating a very interested in what's 20 years. welcome boost to southern happening." .

Works start at $1.7b Darling Downs gas project

29th Feb 2016

ON THE JOB: Shaun Raus of Ezyquip Hire Toowoomba on the site of QGC’s Charlie project.

MORE than 1200 workers upgraded roads near the "The project represents a will arrive on the western site of the gas project. more streamlined Darling Downs over the approach to gas field QGC vice president Surat next 10 months to development, involving Developments Bill develop QGC's $1.7 more use of existing McKenzie said that after a billion Charlie gas processing facilities and successful start, the project. impacting few landholders. project's biggest challenge After three years of over the next weeks and "The development will planning, there are months was to ensure the have a footprint of 2500 currently 400 workers on work was completed hectares, within a site with that expected to safely. development area of grow to more than 1600 by 123,000 hectares, about "The Charlie project is part the end of the year. 20km west of Wandoan of our work to continue and will involve the Toowoomba-based developing our tenements construction of 300 to 400 company Ezyquip Hire has in the Surat Basin to wells, a large field completed clearing the site sustain natural gas supply compression station and and constructing drainage to both domestic associated pipelines and systems. customers and to our LNG facilities that will feed into plant on Curtis Island," he QGC contractor FKG existing gas processing said. Group, also based in and water infrastructure at Toowoomba, has started Woleebee Creek."

$10 billion boom for Toowoomba Jorge Branco January 21 2015

There's far more to a predicted $10 billion boom in Toowoomba and the Surat Basin than mining, says the head of the independent think tank working with leaders to unlock its potential.

Regional Australia Institute deputy chief executive officer Jack Archer has been speaking to key stakeholders in the region this week about how they can capitalise on that and other opportunities in the region. "We know there's "Many regions have that opportunity that comes with one main opportunity that He said it was important not brand new world class they can pursue but I think to overstate the role of infrastructure but we haven't that's what puts resources in the region's as a region sat back and Toowoomba in such a development. said what are we going to strong position, is it does be able to take advantage have different things coming "It's about growing the of now that we have that together at once." things that sit on top of that infrastructure?" CEO Shane mining base," he said. Charles said. With the opening of Brisbane West Wellcamp Transport ... is connected Mr Archer said Toowoomba Airport in the city in July, into that, but agriculture and and the Surat Basin, were in and Toowoomba's second manufacturing and the city unique positions nationally, range crossing due for itself are also really with opportunities in not just 2018, Mayor, Paul important for the economy, mining but also agriculture, Antonio, wants to see it so mining and mining manufacturing, education, grow as a transport hub. investment is really only one finance, health and logistics. part of the picture." "I think when history is "That's one of the things written the resource sector The $10 billion figure that make it really unique, is will be probably a blip on comes from an RAI they do have those the screen, but it is a fairly project to model interesting opportunities important player at the economic growth for all coming together and that's moment in keeping this regions around the why making the right place moving forward," Cr country from 2011 to choices about where to Antonio said. 2030. focus your efforts is a really important thing for the region," he said. Toowoomba house prices increase 40% in five years Geoff Egan | 25th Sep 2015

HOUSE prices in central Toowoomba have increased nearly 40% in five years, new sales data has revealed. House sales data from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland for the June 2015 quarter have shown median prices across prices fall over the past "The new airport continues Toowoomba have quarter. to see flights in and out of increased since the June Toowoomba every day. 2014 quarter and over the Houses in East past five years. Toowoomba dropped There is a $350 million 10.4%, in North development in the CBD Houses in Toowoomba Toowoomba it was 8.1% which will change the face City have led the way over and in Kearney Springs of the city considerably," the past five years with the prices fell 5.6%. he said. median price increasing 39.5% to $362,000. REIQ Toowoomba zone "There is also a degree of chair David Snow said positivity due to the second Over five years, median Toowoomba's market often range crossing getting house prices in Mount slumped in the middle of underway." Lofty have increased the year but he believed 31.9% to $436,000 and He said investors were not the region would continue spending as much in the prices in Meringandan to boom. West - outside Highfields - city as the gas industry have risen 28% to Mr Snow said investment construction boom $391,000.Despite the long- in Toowoomba was a declined. positive sign for the city's term growth, some - APN NEWSDESK suburbs saw median real estate market.

New Wellcamp development will bring jobs Andrew Backhouse | 18th Mar 2016

DEVELOPMENT: An artist’s impression of Wellcamp Business Park. THE newest which was "starting to get The new facility is development in the real legs". comprised of three Wellcamp Business Park buildings that are 1250sq "We've had a number of will create another 20 m each. inquiries from companies jobs in the region. involved in food processing Plans also include office Developer Denis Wagner and the packing and space, car parking and said plans would soon be repackaging of perishable hard stand areas for heavy submitted to Toowoomba freight," he said. vehicles. Regional Council for a "We're about to submit an Three local building 4000sq m transport and application for another cold companies will be asked to warehouse depot. facility for Wellcamp submit tenders for The depot will be situated Airport." constructing the facility. on Ballera Crt directly The 20 new jobs are just Mr Wagner said the opposite oil and gas the beginning; Mr Wagner application's approval company Schlumberger's predicts over the next 40 through council would facility. years there will be likely be straightforward as Mr Wagner said the facility thousands of jobs created it was a code assessable. tied in well with the in the park. logistics airfreight industry

New Surat Basin gas deal worth $250 million

6th Jan 2016

DESPITE talk of a CIMIC executive chairman Leighton Contractors slowdown in the resource Marcelino Fernandez managing director Román sector, a new contract Verdes said QGC's ongoing Garrido welcomed the worth $250 million based development of its national announcement. across the Surat Basin gas reserves was making a "We are pleased to continue near Toowoomba has just major contribution to the our valued partnership with been announced. Queensland economy. QGC and look forward to Leighton Contractors has "CIMIC Group and Leighton building on relationships been selected by QGC to Contractors bring significant formed with local deliver gas infrastructure international and Australian subcontractors and over the next 18 months. experience to the delivery of suppliers," he said. large scale oil and gas Construction will start later facilities." this year with completion in 2017.

Wellcamp airport's 1st international flight Cameron Atfield January 6, 2016 "The beauty with air freight is it means you can get it there in an excellent state and, on top of that, you can get the premium prices for it." Mr Newton said he expected prime chilled beef cuts and high-quality horticulture, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, to form the basis of exports departing from Toowoomba bound for Asia.

"I visited China about 18 The Toowoomba months ago and it's really economy could be set for unbelievable opportunity for this region. interesting talking to middle- a massive boost with class Chinese and their direct air freight links to Cr Antonio said the freight perception about food the world's most lucrative link was the "big step safety issues," he said. "The markets. forward" the region needed. really dominant comment Cathay Pacific announced was that Australian – and "To have the airport built New Zealand for that matter on Thursday it was great and to have would operate the first – food and produce is seen passengers flying is great," as being of high quality and international flight from he said. Toowoomba's Brisbane high reputation. West Wellcamp Airport on "But I think for the broader Queensland Farmers' November 23, with region – and it is a very Federation chief executive its Boeing 747-800 cargo broad region across south- Ruth Wade said she plane bound for Hong Kong. west Queensland, from here welcomed any opportunity to the border – they're to increase access to Toowoomba Mayor Paul looking to Toowoomba and lucrative markets."The new Antonio said the event it's opening up right in front international freight options would be a watershed for of our eyes." opening up through the the region. "This is the first Toowoomba airport create step in an amazing journey AgForce grains president Wayne Newton, based great opportunities for our for people who produce members," she said. food in places like the about 20 kilometres west of Lockyer Valley, the Granite Dalby, said there was an "In particular it opens up the Belt, the Darling Downs," he increasing demand for emerging markets in Asia to said. Darling Downs produce in our horticulture growers south-east Asia. "The who can cater to an "The fact that there are problem, always, is getting emerging middle class that freight routes being opened commodities to these is demanding high quality, up now into Asia is an markets in a still-premium clean produce." condition," he said.

Toowoomba suburbs QLD's best performing 10th Jan 2016

TOOWOOMBA is a were in all the southern price of a two-bedroom property investor's and city of Toowoomba, with unit of $233,100. first home buyer's dream two-bedroom units The review was done according to a review recording annual growth based on realestate.com's into Australia's top of up to 5.7%. prediction that low interest performing suburbs. They are Wilsonton, rates would drive a spike in Property website Toowoomba City, investors and first home realestate.com.au looked Centenary Heights, buyers getting into the real at one and two-bedroom Kearneys Spring and estate market. units with a maximum Newtown. Wilsonton – 2bd – 5.7% median price of $350,000 Wilsonton recorded the Annual Capital Growth – $250,000 to identify where best annual growth of 5.7 Toowoomba City – 2bd - Australia's highest growth per cent while Toowoomba 4.9% Annual Capital Growth – $233,100 suburbs were. City offered the best Centenary Heights – 2bd – 3.9% Annual Capital Growth bargain with the median In Queensland, the top – $239,000 five performing suburbs Kearneys Spring – 2bd – 3.6% Annual Capital Growth

Bypass to inject $2.4b in Toowoomba economy Tara Miko | 23rd Oct 2015

CONSTRUCTION of the Nexus representative also big package to one Toowoomba Second told attendees that the company, they'll make Range Crossing will Toowoomba Second several smaller bundles increase economic Range Crossing would for more contracts" Mr activity in the region by eliminate 18 sets of traffic Charles said. $2.4 billion over 30 lights. years. "We've heard for years Nexus' design would cut that it is 14 (traffic light The figure was released 18 sets of traffic lights for sets) but depending on at the Toowoomba and commuters depending on the route you take, this Surat Basin Enterprise which route was taken will wipe out 18. Evening which featured along the bypass. guest speakers from "Part of their consortium, Nexus, the consortium He said consortium because it's no longer a building the $1.6 billion representatives would be tunnel but a cutting, Toowoomba bypass. back in Toowoomba next they've had to change the month to release and original design for up to More than 500 people explain the construction 6km to ensure they get attended the event at the packages to area firms. the most efficient and Wellcamp Airport. cost effective design." "For civil earthworks, rather than offering one

Mining turnaround for QLD: Coal exports rise, gas production set for boom: report

Emma McBryde | 11th Jan 2016 He said the sector had the capability to energise Asia, including India, which IEA predicted would soon become the number one importer for coal. He said the legal hurdles now confronting resource projects working to finalise regulatory approvals would have been unimaginable a few years ago.

MINING in the Darling The report pointed to the Mr Roche accused Downs has been given rapidly burgeoning LNG environmental groups of a plug in the industry, with gas blocking tactics. Queensland Resources production projected to He said laws should at Council State of the increase from 38.6 billion least be amended so Sector September cubic metres in 2015-16 mining companies could quarter report. to 53.5 billion cubic not be taken to court over The report stated coal metres in 2019-20. indirect emissions. and gas operations supported more than But Mr Roche said the 15,000 or 13% of all jobs state and federal while using 0.3% of that approvals system needed region's land. to be changed so the sector could take In the report, QRC chief advantage of the growing Michael Roche predicted markets. another upturn in the mining sector globally. Mr Roche said the International Energy It found coal exports in Agency's 2015 World the June increased three Energy Outlook showed a million tonnes on the positive outlook for the previous quarter, despite state's resources sector. historically low prices.

International flights from Wellcamp Airport

Steve Creedy JANUARY 13, 2016 regional airport amid some scepticism.

Mr Wagner said Cathay was an obvious choice to test the airport with its Hong Kong hub and reach into China. “They’re well connected, they know the market, they are a logical choice and they’re nice people deal with,’’ he said. West Wellcamp Airport developer John Wagner He added that the China Millionaire airport a major focus for the free trade agreement developer John Wagner airport’s freight business, would be a big boost. believes that the arrival of with the burgeoning “With meat for instance, Chinese market a the tariff comes down to a Cathay Pacific Boeing potential target. zero over the next couple 747-800F at Brisbane “Obviously it will be a very of years, so it will definitely West Wellcamp Airport big day for the airport and be a major step in the right later this month will mark very big day for direction for us.’’ Toowoomba,’’ Mr Wagner a significant turning point said. Billed as the first public for Queensland’s greenfields airport in 50 “They’ve got a good Toowoomba region. years, it boasts a bunch of freight to go spacious terminal and a back to Hong Kong and He expects about 5000 2.8km runway that can we’re testing all the people to come out from take a fully loaded B747 systems with all the the nearby city to watch freighter and other aircraft border agencies and what the jumbo land and such as Antonovs. have you with a view to believes it presents a try to encourage It has attracted services huge opportunity for the freighters to come into from Regional Express big agricultural region and Wellcamp on a more and QantasLink as well particularly the area’s five regular basis.” as some fly-in, fly-out major abattoirs. flights and private jet Mr Wagner and his Chilled beef is among the traffic. brothers spent $200 local produce he sees as million developing the

QGC fires up new $1.7b CSG project in Surat Basin 1600 new jobs and 400 new wells for Surat Basin AAP JANUARY 16, 2016 natural gas) industry in generating jobs and royalties for the budget," Dr Lynham said.

"The new development of a new natural gas resource is also good news for domestic consumers, with export and domestic demand for gas on the east coast forecast to almost treble by 2020."

Queensland Resources Council chief executive QUEENSLAND'S natural partners, China National Michael Roche said the gas industry has received Offshore Oil Corporation development would also and Tokyo Gas, continuous provide benefits to a major boost with the development of its announcement of a $1.7 communities in the area, tenements in the Surat including Taroom, Wandoan billion development Basin to sustain natural gas and Chinchilla. expected to create up to supply to domestic 1600 construction jobs. customers and its Queensland Curtis employment boost" for the Liquefied Natural Gas state. QGC revealed the proposed (QCLNG) plant on Curtis development, known as "It underlines the Island, near Gladstone. importance of the CSG-LNG Charlie, of its natural gas (coal seam gas to liquefied tenements west of "This is a vote of confidence Wandoan on Monday. in the secure, long-term "Queensland has led the future of Queensland's way in developing a world- The two-year project natural gas industry, which class natural gas industry involves the construction of will employ Queenslanders and the announcement of 300 to 400 wells, a large for many years to come," another major development field compression station QGC's managing director is testament to the and associated pipelines Tony Nunan said. confidence that proponents and facilities, which will feed have in the industry," he into existing gas processing State Development Minister said. and water infrastructure. Anthony Lynham described

the development as a "very The works are part of exciting economic and QGC's and its joint venture

Toowoomba tops Qld's 2015 property market JONATHAN CHANCELLOR | 23 MAY 2015

Toowoomba, this was the highest quarterly increase. Brisbane (LGA) proportion of profit-making sales increased three percentage points to 96 per cent, compared with a year ago.

Five of the major regions throughout Queensland are experiencing steady improvements in median house values. Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Boom city Toowoomba lead the state in this Cairns, all showed rising category. has lead the way in annual median house values Queensland’s Property And Cairns has been a of approximately 1.5 to 1.9 resurgence, topping the standout performer over the per cent on average each Sunshine State’s property past 12 months, with profit- quarter over the past year. markets across several making sales rising from 78 categories in the REIQ per cent of transactions The rate of decline in figures for the year to making a profit to 90 per Mackay’s median values March 2015. cent. appears to be slowing, with a drop of just one per cent Toowoomba was the fastest REIQ CEO Antonia to its annual median value selling region, with days on Mercorella said the data in the March quarter. market at 63 days, and what confirmed the REIQ’s they call the Garden City position that Queensland Townsville’s median house continues to hold the lowest was in "the grip of steady, values rose 0.7 per cent, vendor discounting rate of sustainable growth." But which reflects the small 4.7 per cent. those areas that are improvements that that struggling to recover from have been seen in other Toowoomba vendors also economic indicators. secured a profit in 98 per the resources downturn are Townsville’s proportion of cent of all houses sales still endeavouring to profit-making sales in the year ending March stabilise, she said. 2015, according to the latest continues to remain stable REIQ release. In addition Brisbane (LGA) median at 74 per cent, since August Toowoomba recorded 1.9% house values have risen by last year. price growth in the first 1.6 per cent over the quarter of 2015 to again quarter, and, along with

Toowoomba – Australia’s new logistics hub

Graeme Philips on July 23, 2016 potential for the transport and logistics industry to grow rapidly in the coming years.

“The Toowoomba region is well positioned as an attractive investment option for many transport and logistics firms. We have the added advantage of comparatively cheap land for firms looking to expand or relocate to take Toowoomba Mayor Paul and logistics operations. advantage of our improving, integrated transport Antonio says the Darling Toowoomba is 125 km west networks.” Downs city is poised to of Brisbane, and has a population of 160,000. become one of Australia’s hot spots for transport TSBE chief executive officer The city’s potential as a Shane Charles said that the and logistics, with the logistics hub will be Symposium could not have region more connected promoted at a Transport come at a better time for the than ever before thanks to and Logistics Symposium to region. “With the long expenditure on three be held in the city on 3-5 anticipated Inland Rail major transport August. The conference is Project on the horizon, and infrastructure projects. organised by Toowoomba with developments such as and Surat Basin Enterprise the Toowoomba Enterprise “The $1.7 billion (TSBE), the group charged Hub at Charlton-Wellcamp Toowoomba Second Range by the council with ready to facilitate the Crossing, the advent of the facilitating the region’s transport and logistics abilities this and other major $200 million Brisbane West higher level economic development. infrastructure projects Wellcamp Airport, and the presents, there is no proposed Melbourne to “It is fitting that Toowoomba doubting Toowoomba’s Brisbane Inland Rail line all hosts a forum of this nature future potential is as a major point toward remarkable to explore the remarkable transport and logistics hub,” opportunity for this region,” potential such infrastructure Mr Charles said. Mr Antonio said. is bringing to Toowoomba and eastern Australia more “We are extremely keen to All three projects have been broadly,” said Mr Antonio. see business, industry and long announced, but their “Interlink SQ, the Port of government band together completion will mean that Brisbane and FKG are also throughout this forum to Toowoomba will emerge as supporting the event, again truly investigate how this a major centre for transport pointing to the very real potential can be reached.”

Toowoomba's shifting demographics an opportunity for property investors Michael Matusik 25 June 2015

exceed 200,000 within the next two decades.

The City services a much bigger area, acting as the ‘hub’ for much of the production which occurs west of Brisbane.

In a typical year for example, over half of the trade moving through the Port of Brisbane travels to or emanates from the Toowoomba area. Toowoomba has a lot going for it, real estate-wise.

The good news demographics. Toowoomb Our modelling suggests a a’s age structure is growing need for more The city has just entered a polarised, on one hand a residential construction in residential recovery or significant proportion of its Toowoomba. growth phase. It is population is aging, whilst Australia’s largest non- on the other a younger This, in turn, will further help capital inland city. It is the buyer and rental group is increase employment. ‘service town’ of the Surat emerging. Basin, which is expected Bottom line to become Australia’s Toowoomba’s age structure largest energy province. is polarised, on one hand a We do expect prices and significant proportion of its rents to increase, and Yet the city has a diverse population is aging, whilst maybe sharply, over the economic base and now, a on the other a younger next 12 to 14 months as secure water buyer and rental group is Toowoomba’s growth gains supply. Toowoomba emerging. Yet with this momentum. Investors today already holds significant demographic shift comes can anticipate some price regional infrastructure and opportunities. growth. several new projects have just been announced. A major regional city Rents should continue to grow, and most likely The challenges Few realise how big strongly in Toowoomba into Toowoomba already is, the future. The city, however, does holding 160,000 face some challenges. The permanent residents, with largest is its changing its population expected to

10,000 new jobs for Toowoomba on track with Interlink SQ's major rail upgrade approved Andrew Backhouse | 7th Apr 2016

InterLinkSQ chief exectuive fast growing Eastern officer Michelle Reynolds Seaboard," she said. said in making the Current economic announcement Minister for predictions forecast Transport Stirling population growth along the Hinchliffe re-affirmed the eastern seaboard to Queensland Government's increase by 50% from commitment to rail freight today's base by 2030 and and in particular those doubling by 2060 resulting projects that created jobs in an exponential growth in and supported economic the freight task. growth. Ms Reynolds said rail freight "That's really pleasing to would have to play a key hear because it fits in with role in ensuring highways Freight Terminals CEO Michelle Reynolds our goals," she said. did not become THE company behind a "Finally, the government is overcrowded by semi- $235 million rail transfer putting some action behind trailers at a cost to both station in the Toowoomba the rhetoric of 'freight on road safety and the Enterprise Hub says an rail'. environment. upgrade of rail "An independent "This is not a fight between infrastructure is the first assessment of job creation rail and road though," she step in creating 10,000 potential from our said. jobs. InterLinkSQ inter-modal "InterLinkSQ sees rail transport development at InterLinkSQ welcomed the working hand-in-glove with Charlton puts the figure at announcement that the road freight, that is huge as many as 10,000 jobs." State Government will amounts of cargo being spend $2.5 million to re- Ms Reynolds said the shifted by rail - it's amazing open the rail siding at planned hub would allow how much you can fit on a Oakey, as well as the businesses to streamline freight train - to inter-modal upgrade of two additional their existing operations, as hubs and from there taken sidings at Morven and well as developing new on shorter trips by road to Mitchell. product lines which could their final destination. then be transported easily It wants to transfer freight to The next step will be all over Australia, and to the Port of Brisbane and upgrading 11 tunnels global markets. has long been calling for between Toowoomba and upgrades to the rail line. "With access to the Port of the Port of Brisbane. InterlinkSQ is hoping to Brisbane and potentially to InterLinkSQ has been capitalise on the Melbourne the Port of Melbourne when involved in detailed to Brisbane inland rail line the inland rail is built, discussions with the and the fast-growing InterLinkSQ will be a pivotal eastern seaboard. Queensland Government to hub in transport along the make that a reality.

4000 jobs coming to Toowoomba as rail line expands Andrew Messenger | 6th Apr 2016 Oakey Abattoir general manager Pat Gleeson said he wanted the first train of cattle into Oakey before Christmas. "Going forward this gives us the opportunity to source more cattle from those areas we've had limited access to (like the far West)," he said. Quilpie shire mayor Stuart Mackenzie said the deal could be the first step in a

Oakey Beef Exports General Manager Pat Gleeson broader rejuvenation of the western rail line, giving graziers better access to More than 4000 jobs have The project has been halted export markets. been made possible after since October last year over the government a dispute about who should "It gives us another choice, announced the reopening pay for the siding upgrades. firstly having Oakey of a rail line to a Darling Oakey Beef Exports did not involved and they're going Downs abattoir. want to spend their money to be probably a serious The $2.5 million project will upgrading the state asset. player," he said. support a massive It is understood that Aurizon, the only current expansion of Oakey Abattoir elements within the state player, wouldn't move through new rail freights government were leery of anything less than a full hubs in Morven and subsidising a private entity. train. Under the new deal, Mitchell. farmers can combine Transport Minister Stirling At the moment, cattle can together to fill a contract Hinchliffe said he wanted only be loaded at Quilpie. with Oakey. the department to start Treasurer Curtis Pitt planning immediately and The depot in Morven will be estimated that the deal begin upgrades within six able to service Central supported more than 4,300 months. Queensland, Cr Mackenzie jobs and would deliver said. "The project will include about $1.3 billion in upgrading two sidings and "It's on that key road link in economic activity within the reopening part of the old Central Queensland," he region. Cecil Plains branch line said. He said the announcement which was closed in 1994; it "This project reflects the would mean a $60 million runs directly adjacent to the Palaszczuk Government's plant expansion, a doubling Oakey Beef facility," he commitment to invest in rail of the abattoir's output. said. freight and support jobs growth for Queensland.

1000 well gas project for Surat Basin 13th May 2015

A NEW 1000-well coal Mr Charles welcomed the Surat Basin region," Mr seam gas development is project considering many Charles said. a vote of confidence in other of the region's the Surat Basin's long- resource companies were "This project, and we as a term prosperity, transiting from construction region, still have a long way according to Toowoomba to an operations and to go, but clearly all and Surat Basin maintenance phase. optimism is not lost and Enterprise CEO Shane major companies in our Charles. He said that had caused a energy sector are looking to slow down in the resources the future - as should we." Senex announced this sector. month that it wants Federal Senex is in the early Government approval for "Senex is a great operator planning stages of the project which is located led by a strong team, and stakeholder engagement, in the western Surat. this development reminds compiling an environmental us all that there is still plenty impact statement and It is expected the project to be optimistic about here conceptual engineering will be developed over 30 in the Toowoomba and studies. years.

Bypass build delivers $500,000 a day to Toowoomba local economy

Tara Miko | 15th Jul 2016

consortia benefited local workers vying for a piece of the project pie. "They (Nexus) will need to have some level of community engagement," he said.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Andrew Wielandt said the Range development would fill the void left by the energy sector.

Toowoomba’s Second "The project is worth $1.6b "Obviously we haven't seen the contract yet but from our Range Crossing project over three years so average that out over the discussions with Nexus we will bring big bucks to have said they need to have the local economy. lifetime of the project and it makes it $500,000 a day," high local Mr McPherson said. content," he said. More than $500,000 is expected to be spent "Project managers like to each day in the city at the source plant and equipment "High local content not only peak of production if as local as possible because means we bridge the gap in winning consortia Nexus logistically it's much simpler the downturn in the energy to move large equipment, it sector, but also it means that employs local contractors from an economic point of Hundreds of tradesman and costs less and there is far better service and view, there are far greater contractors are believed to returns to the region. have registered to work on maintenance capabilities. the $1.6 billion project, and "With the Second Crossing "The 1800 jobs and up to local economists are $2.2 billion going to be predicting the region will project, the way it is boom when development designed there's a huge spent is a massive boost starts later this year. amount of earth that needs to to our local economy be moved particularly with which at the moment is Construction and mining the cutting through the range, cooling after the recent company iseekplant director and the bridges and pull-back in energy Drew McPherson said Nexus' viaducts." prices." winning design meant a range of workers would be Mr McPherson said Nexus needed. being an international

Get ready for a hot two years of Toowoomba property market

Gen Kennedy | 20th Jun 2015

"We've done several of these documents in the last six months or so, and broadly across the table, this is probably the strongest document we've written.

"Everything's lying in the right way.

"It does help when you

Michael Matusik predicts that Toowoomba's residential market will be strong for next 2 years have a new airport and crossings and CBD THE next two years It will be a positive ride, redevelopments and so will be a period of with increased sales forth. driving growth for and employment and Toowoomba's low rental vacancies, "There's some major residential property but Mr Matusik said. changes happening to market, a leading the town." Residents should also market analyst has However, Mr Matusik be prepared for a predicted. warned against "going "subdued" price growth like Gladstone did", and In a market outlook after 2016. expecting presented yesterday, unsustainably high Michael Matusik said Mr Matusik presented growth and rents. that after a trough, the analysis at a

Toowoomba's market Toowoomba Chamber was in a recovery of Commerce and stage, with property and Industry business values and rents due to breakfast yesterday rise over the next 12 to morning. 18 months.

Inland rail a trifecta for Toowoomba

Andrew Backhouse | 21st Jul 2015

group for the inland rail project, John Anderson, has this week confirmed his attendance," he said. "Interlink SQ, the Port of Brisbane and FKG are also supporting the event, again pointing to the very real potential for the transport and logistics industry to grow rapidly in the coming years. "The Toowoomba region is well positioned as an attractive SECURING an inland rail additional traction and investment option for many line for Toowoomba attention at next month's transport and logistics firms." would cap a trifecta for Transport and Logistics "We have the added the region, making the Symposium. advantage of comparatively Garden City the biggest cheap land for firms looking to inland port of Australia, Facilitated by Toowoomba expand to take advantage of the city's mayor Cr Paul and Surat Basin Enterprise - our improving, integrated Antonio says. the group charged with transport networks," Mayor council's higher level Antonio said. He said the region was economic development - the poised to become one of symposium will run from TSBE chief executive officer Australia's hot spots for August 3 to 5 and aims to Shane Charles said that the transport and logistics with create awareness about the symposium could not have the region more connected transport and logistics come at a better time for the than ever before thanks to a capability in this region. region. major infrastructure spend. "It is fitting that Toowoomba "With the long anticipated The $1.7 billion Toowoomba hosts a forum of this nature Inland Rail Project on the Second Range Crossing, to explore the remarkable horizon, and with the advent of the $200 potential such infrastructure developments such as the million Brisbane West is bringing to Toowoomba Toowoomba Enterprise Hub Wellcamp Airport, and the and eastern Australia more ready to facilitate the proposed Melbourne to broadly," Cr Antonio said. transport and logistics Brisbane Inland Rail line all abilities this and other major point toward remarkable "There is a very impressive infrastructure projects opportunity for this region," line-up of speakers, presents, there is no he said. including International doubting Toowoomba's players, and we are future potential is as a major Toowoomba's emergence delighted former Deputy transport and logistics hub," as a burgeoning centre for Prime Minister and chair of Mr Charles said. high sales transport and logistics the national implementation and rental prices in the operations will gain

$30 billion gas boom in Surat Basin

Wednesday 14 January 2016 constants that will propel it along, regardless of today’s pricing and the continued downward flight in global markets,” he said. “The gas contracts will hold firm for several years, giving some certainty on gas sales volumes and pricing.

The uncertainty in the gas sector is because of plunging global oil prices. Gas supply contracts for Australian CSG are linked to the price of oil, so MAJOR gas companies While workforce numbers falling oil prices mean gas operating in Queensland may have peaked in places prices are effectively falling as well. However, gas sector expect to spend around like Curtis Island and Gladstone, Gas Fields analyst, Geoffrey Cann, says AU$1billion annually for commissioner, John Cotter, there is no need to panic yet. the next 30 years, as they says there still remains a lot continue to expand their of opportunity. “The forum in Mr Cann added that the upstream gas fields. Chinchilla was an declining Australian dollar was opportunity to bring doing its part to support the The comments were made companies and small local gas sector.“Probably the at a recent forum in business together, and we biggest side benefit to the LNG sector is that many of its costs Chinchilla, where Origin had a strong turnout with around 70 businesses in are denominated in Aussie Energy told more than 70 attendance,” he told Shift dollars--in particular labour, but local businesses they Miner. also local services, electricity, expect to drill a further 900 etc,” he said. wells a year in Queensland. “They [Origin and QGC] are

still talking about spending a The gas export infrastructure will be built, because the gas The comments were billion dollars a year for the has been sold on long next thirty years on the welcomed by local business contracts.“The gas wells will development of 900 new who have a widely held be drilled to supply the gas to wells annually, along with all belief that business the export and domestic opportunities in the gas the associated infrastructure markets and the gas sector were shrinking as the like pipelines, pump heads infrastructure will be serviced industry moved out of and flow lines.” and maintained to keep gas construction and into flowing and to meet operations. “The gas industry in regulatory commitments.” Australia has a few

Toowoomba homes shatter $1m price tag Tara Miko | 10th Jun 2015

highest per square metre than any other suburb." But million-dollar sales are not confined to that area, with Century 21 Marsden Realty agent Craig Horncy settling a $1.125m sale in Rangeville. Mr Horncy said about 100 groups of interested buyers walked through 15 Crown St before he secured a sale. The property was on the market for two weeks. "Plenty of interest was

created from the home and PRESTIGIOUS properties "The average time spent on it sold reasonably quickly," on Toowoomba's fringes market, I would think, for he said. are fetching more than $1 these homes is just over 60 million, but you'll have to days," Mr Snow said. be quick to buy. "Some are selling within 30 "Typically those types of days, others in four months. homes do take longer to sell Homes with unrivalled views "That's a strong average but a shortage of properties close to premier private and sales in this price range of that quality has driven schools are in big demand reflect positively on demand." Mr Horncy said by both local and out-of- Toowoomba's real estate the buyers were not from town buyers who are not market as a whole." Toowoomba. hesitating to pay in excess of $1m for the estates. Mr Snow said the multi- "The buyers are from out of million dollar sales impacted town, but their children are Peter Snow and Co positively on house prices in attending school in Toowoomba principal David lower-priced suburbs. "But Toowoomba," he said. Snow said the city's strong it's not investors buying, it's economy was driving the "With good hospitals and owner-occupiers," he said. top end property sales. good education and He said the Golden Triangle university, that has put us in Mr Snow yesterday settled for property prices existed good stead against other a $1.3 million East St home, between Curzon, Margaret, areas that solely rely on the sold to a local family looking Campbell and Wirra Wirra mining boom which has to snare a foothold in what Sts, particularly for the close affected other regions. he called the Golden proximity to world-class Triangle of properties. schools. "Certainly Toowoomba will still service those industries, The property sold within "In the 30 years I've been in but our other sectors are three weeks of being listed real estate, you had to pay very strong." for sale by auction. for the privilege (and) the

land value there is the

Toowoomba makes top 10 places to buy property

MICHELLE HELE JULY 18, 2015

Queensland, relative to total incomes.''

National top ten best buys 2014-2015 (in alphabetical order)

• Albury-Wodonga

• Dubbo

• Emerald/Galilee Basin

TOOWOOMBA has been Toowoomba was • Ipswich named in this years’ identified in the report National Top 10 Best because it was one of • Kwinana precinct Buys report by property Australia's strongest • Midland precinct analyst Terry Ryder regional centres and it of hotspotting.com.au, benefited from a diverse • Palmerston local economy and

Queensland has four of the closeness to the Surat • Rockingham top ten areas in Australia Basin resources province. tipped to outperform the rest • Sunshine Coast of the general property "We particularly like • Toowoomba market. places like Toowoomba that get some benefit source: hotspotting.com. Emerald/Galilee Basin, from the resources sector au

Ipswich, the Sunshine but don't depend on it,'' Coast and Toowoomba as he said. the markets to watch. "Toowoomba has plenty He said all four were of affordable investment considered to have the options, a recent survey drivers which would ranked the city the most achieve capital growth affordable place in above the norm in the near future.

Toowoomba a top 50 property hotspot, again

21st Jan 2015

TOOWOOMBA has been Panellist Luke Berry Smart Property named one of the described Toowoomba as a Investment's managing country's 50 property key investment area. editor Phillip Tarrant said hotspots for the third year the Fast 50 report provides "Australia's jobs capital, in a row. investors with a valuable Queensland's lowest rental snapshot of which locations The city, listed as a suburb vacancy rate, very strong currently present the for the purposes of the employment levels with sharpest investment report, was named in Smart massive imminent job prospects. Property Investment's Fast creation, and probably the 50 suburbs. nation's most significant "Continuing low mortgage infrastructure upgrades all rates and rising prices in The list is determined by the make Toowoomba an certain areas offer some insights of Australian undeniable economic excellent buying property investment growth zone for decades to opportunities right now - experts. come - and this is what with many investors capitalising on these It was one of 13 investors should be conditions," Mr Tarrant said. Queensland suburbs to focusing on," Mr Berry said. make the cut.

1800 jobs in $1.7b Toowoomba bypass

Chris Calcino 6th Feb 2016 A call has been made for companies to register interest in building the 41km road.

Mr Hunter said FKG management in Brisbane were still "studying the scope" to see if bids had to be made for the project's entirety, or whether separate and unaffiliated companies could simply bid on their areas of expertise.

Materials and mining services company Wagners is also one of Toowoomba's front- runners in the bypass stakes. More than 1800 local jobs needed. Whatever necessary funds cannot be will be created over the Director Denis Wagner said sourced privately will be three year construction being attached to a heavy- shared on an 80% to 20% period of $1.7 billion hitting consortium was "not ratio between the State and Toowoomba bypass necessarily" the only way Federal Government. project which is due to benefit from the commence late in 2016. undertaking. "We're looking There will be plenty of jobs at ways to get involved - we to go around and Toowoomba businesses will just hope the government Toowoomba companies like face off with deep-pocketed really pushes the local FK Gardner and Sons will international investors company side of things," he be ideally poised to take jostling for contracts to said. complete work on the advantage. Toowoomba bypass. "If you are involved (in a Development manager consortium), that's all well Last week's announcement Dallas Hunter did not reveal and good but there are still of the government's whether FKG was involved a lot of options for local in a consortium of guaranteed funding base for companies. "I think the project has companies companies vying for a major everyone in business in preparing business cases to share of the project. Toowoomba will want to be win the lucrative contracts, involved in some way ... including some of "Are we looking at it and even the stationery Toowoomba's biggest hoping to gain work out of suppliers. it? Yes," he said. "But employersThe government "But the real benefit to this has made it clear that we've been working on it for a long time, over 12 months region will ultimately be private investment - and 20 safer roads. to 30-year ownership of the - it didn't just start on toll road - will still be Friday."

Toowoomba shows great investor potential

TERRY RYDER 22 JANUARY 2015

suburb mostly fall in the decade, with the exception 5.5% to 6% range, while of the flood-affected year of apartment yields are 2011. Toowoomba suburbs mostly between 6% and typically have long-term 7%. capital growth rates around 7-8% per year. Toowoomba does well because it ticks most of the Australian Property Hotspotting boxes: a strong Monitors senior economist and diverse economy, a Andrew Wilson has forecast There are few better growing population, plenty further price rises for examples of the potential of infrastructure spending, a Toowoomba in 2015, tipping for investors in regional growing business an average rise of 8%. Australian than community, affordability Toowoomba. At the same time, University housing – and a big kicker of Southern Queensland Queensland’s biggest inland which takes it to another Professor John Cole has city (population 155,000) level, in the form of the coal forecast a population boom, recorded price growth in seam gas industry in the with Toowoomba’s 2013 that out-performed nearby Surat Basin. population tipped to reach capital city Australia, with Toowoomba is regarded as 240,000 by 2031. the possible exception of one of the best places in Sydney. Most Toowoomba Toowoomba and the Australia to get a job. Its suburbs delivered double- surrounding region are alive jobless rate is about 1.5 digit growth in their median with resources projects, percentage points below the house prices last year, infrastructure projects and national average. headed by Rangeville (the property developments, number one location in I particularly like regional which include the impending terms of sales volumes) centres that benefit from completion of a new airport which rose 14% and resources activity but don’t facility and proposed major Newtown which rose 16%. depend on it. The CSG road and rail links. industry is quite recent in Part of Toowoomba’s As with all growth centres, this part of Queensland and appeal lies in affordability the one danger to the city’s Toowoomba was a and rental returns. property market is the prosperous city and steady Despite the recent high potential for oversupply. To property market before it growth, most suburbs date, that has not happened became a factor. have median house prices in Toowoomba and in the range between Toowoomba has delivered vacancies currently are $240,000 and $350,000. some level of price growth around 2%. House yields suburb-by- every year for the past

Transport infrastructure trifecta boosts Toowoomba house prices

Chris Calcino 25th Apr 2015

partnership with a major airline, further bolstering the market.

"The airport has already helped the mums and dads and anyone else looking for that growth, whether

residentia l or $5 million The price of Toowoomba homes is on the rise according to the latest REIQ data. commercial properties," THE promise of inland He said 2015 had brought Mr Eames said. rail, a new airport and a an enormous amount of second Toowoomba attention from big-name "But when that major Range crossing has airline is announced, investors - interest which helped drive had filtered down to all which we hope is Toowoomba's property facets of the property imminent, it will give it market to new heights. market. another kicker.

Colliers International None have yet formally Toowoomba director This has been the biggest signed on, but Mr Eames Marcus Eames has been positive impact I've seen said it was the "calm put in charge of all in my 12 years in before the storm". commercial property at commercial property. Wagners' Wellcamp He said property owners "I've never seen yields Business Park. were waiting on tighten this quickly, even tenterhooks for Wellcamp pre-GFC." Airport to announce a

Massive development spending attracts investors to Toowoomba

By: Sophie Foster Date: May 26, 2015

“No other regional city, nor capital city for that matter, will be able to boast the amount of infrastructure development occurring,” Mr Charles said. “We will no doubt become the epicentre of infrastructure. I look forward to seeing some major growth in our region over the coming years.”

QUEENSLAND’S newest Melbourne to Brisbane “Toowoomba is a hub for boom zone, the Toowoomba Inland Rail Project and a much of the production TBSE chief executive region, will now see billions new Bunnings, totalled which happens West of Shane Charles said the real of dollars more investment more than $5.8 billion, while Brisbane. In a typical year, development figure overall than anticipated six months projects currently underway over 50 per cent of the was much higher, given the ago, with experts predicting totalled more than $3.5 goods emanating to and billion,” according to the $11B excluded “a vast it would also spark more from the Port of Brisbane TBSE’s May Development numberare from of Toowoomba developments and investment activity locally. Status Report of the underWest,” the he $2said. million Toowoomba Regional construction cost threshold”. Toowoomba and Surat Council Area. “The region supports a Basin Enterprise, estimated Thatrange same of industries, growth was including what that more than $11 billion in “Projects approved and wasagriculture, attracting manufac investorsturing to total development spending awaiting commencement and mining services. This was going into the area - totalled more than $2.1 makes it less prone to the almost double estimates put billion.” commit to a region boom and bust cycles of out just six months ago. that “sometimes falls under Queensland’s other major

the radar of companies towns.” “Proposed projects for the focused on capital cities”. region, which include the

Toowoomba infrastructure to bring 10,000 jobs but where will they live? Chris Calcino | 14th Jun 2015

long time, we're not going to meet demand.

"The reality is that if you can't provide housing, they won't take up jobs here."

Mr Stewart said it would be a shame for Toowoomba to miss out on the opportunity to house the crews.

The fear that university students could be pushed out of the market by rising A JOBS boom is just region. Coupled with a prices was another issue he around the corner, but rental vacancy rate of about said could be resolved. there is trouble in the 1.2%, it spells trouble for wings unless developers low-income households as "I'm talking to a number of can engineer a demand drives up rental developers about building corresponding housing prices. medium high-rise surge in Toowoomba. developments in the right LJ Hooker Toowoomba locations. We're going to Construction of the licensee Mike Stewart said see a swing towards that," Toowoomba bypass, the he was "eternally optimistic" he said. inland rail project and the about the city's housing Wellcamp Airport are market and believed "It will also force what expected to create 10,000 developers still had time to council is trying to do - new full-time jobs. catch up on the rental encourage more density in shortage. established areas. These major infrastructure projects will bring thousands "Our vacancy rate is about "There are lots of clever of families to Toowoomba, 1.2% and Toowoomba has people with lots of money but with limited housing historically always been an wanting to do something. supply, where will all of the undersupplied market," he workers live said. "It all depends on whether developers and councillors Toowoomba already has "Unless we're producing can cooperate to make it one of the country's lowest 700 to 800 new lots a year, happen." rates of unemployment (4.2 which we haven't done for a per cent in April) meaning many of the workers will be sourced from outside the

Toowoomba’s Silicon Valley to add 10,000 jobs to the local economy Andrew Backhouse 12 May 2016

the centre in August, with the company receiving preliminary approval from council late last year.

The first stage will feature three data centres in one cluster and another wholesale centre, along with two disaster recovery buildings and a service building.

PHOTO: The park will be a space where FKG Group has revealed FKG says the Toowoomba entrepreneurs and start-up ambitions plans for its data Technology Park will companies can create jobs for centre in Witmack Industry incorporate the latest researchers, scientists, IT Park, with the developer technological advances in a workers, game designers, app planning to transform the highly-efficient design creators and software area into a technology park. utilising local conditions. developers. Up to 10,000 jobs could With high power capacity “Importantly for be created if the plan is and a large available Toowoomba, this new realised with technology footprint, the park will offer technology industry hub is companies being invited multiple tier levels and expected to generate to set up shop in what is tailored security significant employment being called requirements for clients. opportunities in Toowoomba’s Silicon The centrepiece of the park, information, media, Valley. and one of the first of its telecommunications and The construction and kind in Australia, is the agricultural technology, engineering group has Pulse Data Centre. resulting in between 5000 lodged an application with and 10,000 new jobs as we FKG Group group manager Toowoomba Regional tap into growing demand of property developments Council for approval of the from Australia and Asia.” Dallas Hunter said work new 29-hectare technology was expected to begin on park at Witmack Road.

1000 new jobs with $35m Toowoomba factory

11th Jul 2016 Nature One Dairy CEO Mr Nick Dimopoulos said Nature One Dairy Toowoomba would further expand the international brand in China and the Asia-Pacific region using existing networks and supply agreements currently in negotiation. He said Wellcamp Business Park was an ideal logistical location given its proximity to anchor tenant Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and the Second Range Crossing. Wellcamp Business Park Construction of an manufacturing facility with a spokesman and Wellcamp innovative infant milk capacity of 30 million tins a Airport developer, Mr John formula factory in year, which will start Wagner said he welcomed Toowoomba is expected production from about April the facility at Australia's next year. to start in the next few premier business park. months. "This will be followed by

The Toowoomba Integrated ongoing development of the "This is another game Milk Project (TIMP), a joint TIMP designed to produce changer for the Toowoomba venture between Au Lait not only infant formula but region and once stage two Australia and Nature One UHT milk, fresh milk, milk is underway, it will create Dairy, will be built at the powder and other products well in excess of 1000 jobs 550-hectare Wellcamp for domestic and across the state and further Business Park. international markets," said establish Brisbane West Mr Laracy. Wellcamp Airport as a The two companies have specialist hub for air and joined forces to form Nature He said development plans road freight. One Dairy Toowoomba, and approvals for the which will own and operate balance of the milk factory "It is extremely important the multi-million-dollar would be finalised later this the State Government facility. year. works with us to get direct access to the second range Au Lait Australia "The long-term plan is to crossing from Wellcamp spokesman Steve Laracy establish an American-style Airport and the Wellcamp said it was an exciting and freestall dairy barn, which Business Park so more ambitious project that would would provide about half of world-class industries are be built in two stages and the milk supply to Nature attracted to Queensland," also incorporate a nearby One Toowoomba. A said Mr Wagner. dairy farm. feasibility study on the detail of the farm will be finished Mayor Paul Antonio said he "The first stage is the $35 in early 2017," said Mr was delighted with the million infant formula Laracy. project for his city.

Australia greenlights Toowoomba cargo hub

BY LEWIS KING JULY 6, 2016

and 50 tonnes of produce, including chilled beef to Hong Kong, frozen beef to Shanghai, and lettuce, pecans and mangoes from Queensland. Wagner Group chairman John Wagner is betting on strong demand for Australian produce in Asia to validate the massive The Australian valued at almost US$500 investment. government has approved million. the performance of He explained to local unrestricted cargo “South West Queensland media that, "what we really services at the new already produces around a see, and the message that privately held Wellcamp third of Queensland’s we're getting very loud and Airport in South West agricultural output, and clear from China in Queensland. maximizing export particular, but even some opportunities for the of the other Asian The airport’s owner, the industry is critical to future countries, is they want Wagner Group, one of growth,” said Darren fresh produce from this Queensland's largest Chester, Australia’s minister region.” privately owned for infrastructure and construction materials and transport. Wagner added that, “it's not mining services companies, unrealistic to think [that] said it hopes to position the According to local media, within 12 months we could airport as a major airfreight the airport has, so far, cost have a freighter a day hub for Australian exports to approximately $150 million running out of Wellcamp.” Southeast Asia. to develop and, as of late last year, was already Tags: Australasia, Cathay The airport opened in 2014, offering 26 weekly flights to Pacific, china, queensland, is about 150 kilometers Sydney, as well as to other Wellcamp Airport outside of Brisbane and was destinations. built from the ground up with private funding. The Last November, Cathay Pacific tested demand for owners hope to capitalize on the state’s annual regular services with a 747- perishables output, which is 8 freighter. Exports included two helicopters to Miami

Toowoomba bypass works - view from the air Andrew Backhouse | 17th Oct 2016

VIDEO footage taken from Spa in the east to the Gore a plane has shown just Highway at Athol in the west how far works have via Charlton. progressed on the $1.6 Benjamin Cook-Watkins billion Toowoomba filmed the video on his Second Range Crossing. return from a business trip.

A video flyover posted on He took the footage from a YouTube shows light aircraft using his Nexus construction on the site as mobile phone. of Wednesday. Mr Cook-Watkins said the It clearly shows the route of view was "fantastic". the crossing over the Toowoomba Range and the "It's pretty direct, most of impact clearing works have the route has been cleared," had in the bushland. he said. The 41km heavy vehicle route to the north of

Toowoomba will connect the Warrego Hwy at Helidon

Works are underway at Toowoomba bypass Andrew Backhouse | 30th Sept 2016 due to be completed and operational by late 2018.”

“When completed, the viaduct will also allow the TSRC to pass over the heritage-listed railway line at its western end without having any impact on rail operations.

“The viaduct will improve Work's are underway on 41 kilometres in length, safety and productivity for the Toowoomba Second running from the Warrego heavy vehicles by Range Crossing viaduct – Highway at Helidon in the eliminating the need to an 800m-long road bridge east, to the Gore Highway negotiate up to 18 sets of that will extend from the at Athol in the west.” traffic lights in Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley and cut saving them up to 40 through the Toowoomba Acting Queensland Main minutes each way. Range at Mount Kynoch. Roads Minister Leeanne Enoch said the viaduct was It is an impressive piece of Federal Minister for a key part of the $1.6 billion infrastructure that will Infrastructure and Transport TSRC project. “The TSRC support the growth of this Darren Chester said the will not only deliver long- part of Queensland well viaduct would provide the term benefits to into the 21st century.” key link between the Queensland, but will also Federal Member for Groom Lockyer Valley and support an estimated 1,800 Dr John McVeigh Toowoomba. direct and indirect jobs in welcomed the start of the Toowoomba region,” Ms major works on the viaduct. “The viaduct is a critical Enoch said. design feature of the The Australian Government Toowoomba Second Range “The viaduct is integral to is providing more than $1.1 Crossing project which will the TSRC, and will create billion to the $1.6 billion provide a safer, faster link in an alternative crossing of TSRC project, with the the National Land Transport the Toowoomba Range for remainder funded by the Network,” Mr Chester said. trucks, away from the Queensland Government. streets of Toowoomba,” Dr “The project involves the McVeigh said. construction of a bypass route to the north of “This is just one element of Toowoomba, approximately the TSRC project, which is

How $35 million Toowoomba milk factory will work

by Andrew Backhouse 26th October 2016

28.18% of the stage one development site area. The configuration of the complex will be orientated towards the site's primary road frontage to International Dr, with the office component of the development located adjacent to the frontage entrance to the site. The office will include a reception, five office rooms, a board room, tea room and PLANS for the $35 million The park's directors Denis amenities over two levels. milk factory set to be and John Wagner have constructed in signed off on the The internal layout of the Toowoomba reveal in application. remainder of the shed will detail how the factory will comprise of two warehouse It's expected the project operate. areas, a clean room, will create 1000 ingredients preparation The project reached a major jobs throughout the region. room, plant room, staff room milestone recently when a and staff amenities. development application The first stage is for a $35 was lodged with million infant formula The proposed factory Toowoomba Regional manufacturing facility with a building will be one storey Council. capacity of 30 million tins a with exception to the two year, which developers storey office component, The Toowoomba Integrated and an area in the elevated Milk Project is a joint hope will start production from April next year roof section of the factory in venture between Au Lait which hoppers will be Australia and Nature One Further stages will process housed to provide a gravity Dairy. ultra-high-temperature milk, feed to the canning lines New details about the fresh milk, milk powder and filling equipment. ambitious project emerged other products for domestic and international markets. The development will in planning documents, operate between the hours lodged by Precinct Urban Stage one will include a of 24 hours-a-day, seven- Planning on behalf of Au factory building with a total days-a-week. Lait Australia. gross floor area of 5365sq A total of 15 full time The plant will be m and a building footprint of 4,834sq m. equivalent employees will constructed on land on operate the factory. International Drive, in the That translates to site Wellcamp Business Park coverage of 0.17% of the and directly across from total site, 9.72% of the Wellcamp airport. development site area and

Toowoomba - property hot spot of tomorrow by John McGrath Tuesday, August 16, 2016

To remind you – the key enable a faster trip for indicators of a hot spot are freight services. It will create beneficial new infrastructure 1,800 full-time jobs. Major redevelopment of retail construction is underway, centres and more lifestyle with the peak employment amenities … and phase expected around Toowoomba has them all. mid-2017, so we expect to see weekly rents rise then When do you buy in a hot as well. spot? Ideally, it’s pretty soon after major projects Grand Central Savvy property investors have been approved or redevelopment are always on the lookout have commenced. The for the hot spots of effects are not yet there, so Stage 1 of this massive new tomorrow because that’s they haven’t been felt by the shopping centre should be where the greatest potential property market – yet. open for Christmas retailing. for capital growth lies. The redevelopment will McGrath Toowoomba include a new dining So buyers, let me tell you Principal, Toby Sandell says precinct, department stores, about Toowoomba. we’re at the best point in the supermarkets and almost cycle for buying for long- 160 other stores. Toowoomba is located term capital growth now. 125km west of Brisbane Railway Parklands and in my opinion, is one of Brisbane West Wellcamp Precinct redevelopment the most exciting emerging Airport regional centres in This 50 hectare site will Australia. It’s already our The airport is having a incorporate a central park, second largest inland city positive effect on the shops, commercial and (after Canberra) but its accessibility of the region industrial facilities and growth is far from over. both domestically and into residential options. The Asian markets. Several agri- council estimates it will Right now, Toowoomba has based companies are provide up to 3,300 jobs all the hallmarks for growth. setting up in the during construction and a We believe its strong focus surrounding Business Park further 1,800 jobs in retail and investment in in order to take their and service industries. The infrastructure, retail and produce directly to Asia. developer is currently lifestyle precincts will have working with council to an impact on both interstate Second Range Crossing finalise the plans. migration and employment opportunities in the short, This new 41km road is medium and long term. important because it will

Toowoomba property market strong as house sells $150,000 above reserve

Jason Quelch Sep 16, 2016 house prior to auction and finally sold to a young family.

Domain Group chief economist Andrew Wilson said property prices in Toowoomba had slowed over the past couple years.

“There’s obvious signs the Toowoomba’s LJ Hooker Toowoomba market has slowed in property market has agent Alan Reilly said Toowoomba, which is had a boost with a the property was in the traditionally one of the character home region’s “dress circle” strongest regional selling $150,000 and had been in high markets,” Dr Wilson said. above reserve. demand. But Mr Reilly said the The Mount Lofty “Once people move into Bridge Street strong federation the dress circle, they sale could be a turning Queenslander, rarely want to leave,” point for the region “Piccadilly”, attracted he said. “Opportunities following a quiet winter. 11 registered bidders are hard to come by in and sold for $1.15 the neighbourhood.” “We’re fielding a million under the significant amount of The home was bought hammer. interest from upgraders by its owners for who have been 69 Bridge Street’s $540,000 in 2007 motivated by the last price smashed and recently underwent RBA cut,” Mr Reilly Toowoomba’s falling extensive renovations. said. median house price of More than 90 groups $357,750, according to inspected the five- Domain Group. bedroom Bridge street

Toowoomba has edge in inland rail route Andrew Backhouse | 29th Jul 2016

The rich coal resources of more coal freight than Although the Warwick the Surat Basin have Warwick. routes were faster than the given Toowoomba the Toowoomba options, they Overall the results indicate edge in the battle with were also significantly more that the route via Warwick for the inland rail expensive. Toowoomba had stronger route to come through the economic merit than About 20 minutes would be regional centres. Warwick. saved if the track were to The leaders of Toowoomba pass through Warwick, but Consulting firm ACIL and Warwick have publicly the cost would be an extra Tasman estimates that an put the cases forward why $450 million. inland railway would the Melbourne to Brisbane stimulate extra coal Warwick Mayor Tracy Dobie Inland Rail project should tonnages from the east has called for the route to pass through their cities. Surat basin north-west of go through Warwick and But an analysis of the Inland Toowoomba to the Port of Toowoomba Mayor Paul Rail Alignment Study shows Brisbane above the present Antonio called for the route that the Toowoomba option 5.5 mtpa. to go through his home would allow the track to town of Millmerran transport 10.8 million tonnes and Toowoomba.

Toowoomba more than a big country town - growing interest from big city investors

Dan Dwan | 30th Aug 2016

continues to evolve as a This is changing. The strong economic hub, with a Toowoomba commercial significant increase in the property market has seen number of investors some significant showing genuine interest in transactions of tenanted local assets. assets over the past 12 months with some of these With the region being in the properties transacted in an infrastructure and "off market" situation. development spotlight,

Colliers Toowoomba director Dan Dwan investors are starting to Some assets have achieved

recognise the economic yields into the seven per THERE is a growing stability of the region and cent range with the majority interest among are placing a more yielding in the eight per cent Australians to invest in favourable outlook on long- to nine per cent range. commercial property, term investment in the It is currently a case of particularly at a time when region. supply and demand. With investors are looking to Although locals have known limited stock on the market maximise the return on of the benefits of investing and a high level of interest their investment dollar in the region for a long time, for secure commercial with low interest rates and many outside investors, investments, sellers that are cashed up self-managed until recently, still looked on the market are seeing super funds. upon Toowoomba as a big their expectations exceeded The Toowoomba region is country town to invest in with favourable results very much part of this with and as a result expected achieved. the region attracting more higher returns for assets in significant investment the region. interest as the area

$594 million to inland rail for Toowoomba

MERCY BASS MAY 10, 2016 | | Mr Antonio says the announcement now puts a lot of responsibility back on the Toowoomba council to be part of this.

“Naturally we have begun to do some work on Stegers Road, we have begun to provide the enabling infrastructure and we will be working with those who want to build the project very hard in the next few years so we are right and ready for when this happens,” he said.

Toowoomba Regional purchase land and pre- Currently, the national Council Mayor Paul construction activities. infrastructure network Antonio is all smiles after cannot support the the Turnbull government The planned inland rail projected growth, with vowed to spend $594 route will be 1,700km from increasing use of heavy and million on the Brisbane to Brisbane to Melbourne, with pressure on already Melbourne Inland rail an estimated transit time of congested roads through project from 2017 to 2020. 24 hours – 1000km of this Sydney. will be new or ungraded rail. The inland rail project has Each train that travels the been at the forefront of Mr The rail will also aim to new freight line is expected Antonio’s agenda and he improve the link between remove 110 B-Double said the proposed line will Queensland and Southern trucks from the road, which bring Toowoomba Australia, including Adelaide is promising reduced supply remarkable opportunities for and Perth. chain costs and increase economic growth. environmental sustainability Through the Toowoomba in the industry. “This is real, this is real region in particular, the money, and it is almost a railway will go from Gowrie The railways will use one billion dollars in total that’s to Calvert. third of the fuel of the been committed to getting average use of road, and the railway started,” Mayor This area will see 750,000 less tonnes of Antonio said. approximately 76km of new, carbon, the Department of upgraded and dual gauge Infrastructure and Regional “There are many stages in a track, as well as 7.6km of Development has released. project like this, and this is a tunneling to create an very good stage one.” efficient route through the The use of inland rail will steep terrain of the also reduce costs by $10 The funds outlined in the Toowoomba and Little per tonne, the department budget will be used to Liverpool Ranges. said.

10,000 jobs on track Toowoomba rail upgrade Andrew Backhouse | 7th Apr 2016

businesses to streamline their existing operations, as well as developing new product lines which could then be transported easily all over Australia, and to global markets. "With access to the Port of Brisbane and potentially to the Port of Melbourne when the inland rail is built, InterLinkSQ will be a pivotal hub in transport along the fast growing Eastern Seaboard," she said. THE company behind a said in making the Current economic $235 million rail transfer announcement Minister for predictions forecast station in the Toowoomba Transport Stirling population growth along the Enterprise Hub says an Hinchliffe re-affirmed the eastern seaboard to upgrade of rail Queensland Government's increase by 50% from infrastructure is the first commitment to rail freight today's base by 2030 and step in creating 10,000 and in particular those doubling by 2060 resulting jobs. projects that created jobs in an exponential growth in and supported economic the freight task. InterLinkSQ welcomed the growth. announcement that the State Government will "That's really pleasing to Ms Reynolds said rail freight spend $2.5 million to re- hear because it fits in with would have to play a key open the rail siding at our goals," she said. role in ensuring highways Oakey, as well as the did not become "Finally, the government is upgrade of two additional overcrowded by semi- putting some action behind sidings at Morven and trailers at a cost to both the rhetoric of 'freight on Mitchell. road safety and the rail'. environment. It wants to transfer freight to "An independent the Port of Brisbane and "InterLinkSQ sees rail assessment of job creation has long been calling for working hand-in-glove with potential from our upgrades to the rail line. road freight, that is huge InterLinkSQ inter-modal InterlinkSQ is hoping to amounts of cargo being transport development at capitalise on the Melbourne shifted by rail - it's amazing Charlton puts the figure at to Brisbane inland rail line how much you can fit on a as many as 10,000 jobs and the fast-growing freight train - to inter-modal nationwide." eastern seaboard. hubs and from there taken Ms Reynolds said the on shorter trips by road to InterLinkSQ chief exectuive planned hub would allow their final destination. officer Michelle Reynolds • ngland $32.4m Toowoomba Range project launches

Andrew Backhouse | 5th Jun 2016

ease the financial burden on the region's road operators. "Time spent crawling down the Toowoomba Range and stuck in Brisbane traffic, can be converted into longer, more productive runs from agricultural producers further afield in Western Queensland and Northern NSW to a consolidation point such as InterLinkSQ, using the same trucks and man-hours," she said. "This announcement brings

our development another InterLinkSQ CEO Michelle "It forms an important step closer and paves the Reynolds welcomed building block in the future way for Toowoomba, and in $32.4m in the 2016-17 of rail freight." particular, the Toowoomba budget towards the long- Ms Reynolds said the State Enterprise Hub to establish awaited Toowoomba Government had itself as a major freight & Range Rail Tunnel recognised the need for logistics centre." project. investment in rail Toowoomba Mayor Paul This project removes the infrastructure and making a Antonio said the major block for container commitment towards the announcement was the big freight on rail from future growth in rail freight ticket item for the region. Toowoomba to the Port of for Queensland. Brisbane and paves the way "It will have a profound "We still have a long way to for modern high-cube impact on the region and go to catch up with our containers to access rail we're very excited about it. more progressive southern services. It's what we have been neighbours in terms of pushing for." "The funding announcement investment in rail freight" for the Range Clearance said Ms Reynolds. Project, is the catalyst She said with safety and towards a reinvention of the environmental benefits, the rail freight industry in our rail link from Toowoomba to region" said Ms Reynolds. the Port of Brisbane would

Toowoomba jobs boom – new jobs to out pace population growth over next decade

Andrew Backhouse | 10th Dec 2016 Manufacturing, farming, mining and IT sectors will experience sluggish growth in the future, according to the report. Planning and development services general manager Stewart Somers said those trends were not unique to Toowoomba, and were occurring throughout the country and globally. Mayor Paul Antonio said the report indicted clearly that employment in the area - compared to other similar communities - was going THE jobs of the future will be the other bastion of jobs well. be in health care, retail growth, going from 7400 to and education, according 8900. "It also indicates a shift in to a ground-breaking A zone labelled some people's minds - report released by Toowoomba central - which agriculture is becoming very Toowoomba Regional includes Toowoomba efficient ... so there'll be less Council. Hospital and the CBD - will employment. Total employment in the be home to one quarter of "That employment will shift Toowoomba council area is all new jobs. over, hopefully, to the projected to increase from Other growth areas for the preparation of that product 75,600 last year to 91,150 region are Toowoomba for export to the world. We in 10 years' time, and to West - which includes the know here that logistics will more than 112,800 jobs by Toowoomba Enterprise Hub be strong. 2041. and Wilsonton Industrial "Urban Toowoomba is Job growth is projected to Area - Drayton, Harristown playing a major role in outpace population growth and Highfields. employment. over that period. Transport and warehousing, "There is also indication that The Toowoomba Future healthcare, public people travel from externally Employment Study administration, to work in the area. forecasts that, in 10 years, accommodation and mining the number of jobs in health have been the drivers of "Toowoomba's future is care will jump from 10,000 jobs growth in the past five quite bright; there are many to 12,700. years, while job losses have opportunities for new and been seen in financial and emerging industries that will Retail trade is another insurance services really drive this community." growth area, going from manufacturing and 8750 to 9700. Education will agriculture and fishing.

Toowoomba median house price rises

By Ellie Sibson Posted 24 Mar 2016

Range Crossing and about 2 per cent to The median house price Warrego Highway upgrade $303,500. in Toowoomba has had created jobs, leading to Toowoomba's rental market increased to more than a demand for housing. remains healthy, with a $350,000, according to The median house price vacancy rate of 3.2 per latest figures. has increased to $352,500, cent, up from 2.7 per cent in The Real Estate Institute of which is 19.5 per cent the previous quarter. Queensland (REIQ) said higher than five years ago. figures from the December Topics: housing- Apart from Brisbane, quarter showed industry, economic- Toowoomba properties had trends, toowoomba-4350 Toowoomba's market was the least number of days on performing strongly. market in the state, at 67. It said major infrastructure The sale price for units in projects like the Second Toowoomba has slipped d R Toowoomba’s market to lure more buyers Brigid Simeoni | 14th Dec 2016 sales in Toowoomba during the quarter. Mr Snow said while 2016 had not been as "exciting" as the previous year in terms of growth, agents had experienced good interest and sales activity. He noted there had been a drop in rental vacancies and expected the market to tighten further in the new year - good news for investors seeking higher returns. TOOWOOMBA'S real quarter - and sales activity estate leader says the city was up 13%. "In general terms 2017 will will continue to be an Mr Snow said the small be steady as she goes - we attractive option for increase indicated the won't see major sales investors and families, properties sold were in the records being written but I with a steady market on lower price range, while the don't believe there are the cards for 2017. prices reaffirmed desperate days ahead REIQ Toowoomba zone Toowoomba as an either," he said. chair David Snow said the affordable choice. He said Toowoomba was region's affordable prices, "Toowoomba is a great an "outstanding regional conservative market and option for younger families city" to live in with projects major developments in as it is for older people who such as the Second Range progress would remain are retiring or who are close Crossing and QIC retail drawcards for buyers. to retirement," he said. development in the CBD set Mr Snow's forecast for to have a huge impact. There were 497 house Toowoomba real estate sales for the quarter and "The major investors have comes as the latest 119 acreage properties. already voted in terms of Queensland Market Monitor confidence and we will reap report is released today. Newtown recorded the the benefits of that in two to highest number of house The REIQ September three years time." - APN sales with 37 properties, quarter figures showed the followed by 33 in • e Crossing median house sale price Rangeville. was $353,000 - a rise of rail fron 0.6% on the previous The September figures also showed there were 116 unit

Toowoomba’s new house stock selling fast Pamela Frost | 18th Mar 2016 usually more tentative when a federal election was looming. He said many buyers were currently waiting and watching. Mr Snow, of Peter Snow & Co, said he had noticed a change in the market in the past year. He said this time last year, the average house would be on the market for about two IF there was simple way to Toowoomba Ray White co- to three weeks. Now, he sum up the Toowoomba principal Lindsay Southwell said the average time was housing market, it would be said there was a shortage of six to seven weeks. with one word: steady. investors towards the end of Unit living is also becoming last year which led to fewer Toowoomba real estate a trend in Toowoomba. sales. agents say the market has Mr Southwell said a large been steady, with new stock But he said this did not influx of units in Toowoomba selling quickly and prices affect the prices. was starting to show. remaining about the same. He said the market had CoreLogic (CORRECT) RP been steady and this year He said there had been Data statistics show 714 was showing more more stock in both unit homes were sold in the positivity. sales and rentals and there Toowoomba region in the were a lot of people looking "We're starting to see a lot three months to December. to downsize from larger more first home buyers properties to units without The year recorded a total coming into the market, large backyards. 3351 sales across which we didn't see to a Toowoomba's suburbs. great extent in 2015," Mr Mr Snow said he had also Southwell said. seen more people looking In the December quarter, for "quality" apartment Newtown and Rangeville He attributed this to greater living. recorded the most sales, job certainty after a shake- with 49 houses sold in each up of the resources industry Going into the next few suburb. last year. years, Mr Snow expects the market will be reasonable. Centenary Heights recorded "Now people have a bit the next highest number, more confidence about "Goodness knows what it's with 37 house sales. what's happening. And as going to be in 2017. But for soon as we go through the this year I think it's going to Median house sale prices local and federal elections be steady as she goes," he ranged from $250,000 in the better it will be." said. - ARM NEWSDESK Oakey to $525,000 in Highfields. REIQ zone chair David Snow said buyers were

'Large vote of confidence' in Toowoomba housing

Samantha Hutchinson July 16, 2016

building and investment activity, culminating around 2014, when capital growth hit 16.1 per cent and the residential vacancy rate was little more than 1 per cent. While market activity has pulled back since 2014, prices plateaued rather than winding back, and properties have managed to hold their value despite a spurt of development.

Toowoomba's property shopping mall into sprawling Prices in Toowoomba City market is showing green retail, entertainment and have risen 9.24 per cent in shoots as several big lifestyle destination is also the past 12 months, with infrastructure projects boosting expectations within turnover steady across the and a gradual lift in the area. residential market as well as agriculture, manu- commercial assets. facturing and resource- "There's a sense of related investment buoys expectation that we haven't Elsewhere in the city, confidence throughout felt for a long time about the vacant land sale prices are the city. prospects for the city," Ray ticking up. White Toowoomba principal Residents, property Andrew Carter says. "Land values have been the investors and agents are "There's an expectation our star performer," Carter bracing for an up- swing in market is due for an says. "They've lifted from property values, especially upswing, and we've got anywhere between $300 to after the 2018 completion of some projects occurring that $400 to now going for the $1.6 billion Toowoomba we believe are a large vote between $500 and $700 a Second Range Crossing, of confidence in the area." (square) metre," he says. which will act as a bypass route keeping trucks out of Toowoomba prices "There's a fairly consistent the city, and better experienced a swift ramp up demand for housing, and connecting the north and until 2003, before we had an undersupply of west fringes. stagnating for several years development for a long until mining investment in while." QIC's $500 million upgrade the neighbouring Surat of the city's Grand Central Basin again kicked off

Cathay launches direct cargo flights to Hong Kong from Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport

Paul Smith Thursday 13th October 2016

consumer markets are unlimited.

“We are on the cusp of very exciting times and the reality for our multi-million- dollar agricultural and processing sectors is produce like chilled beef and other perishables will be able to fly direct to Asia from the region in which they are produced, creating

both valuable first-mile and cool chain efficiencies, and Australia’s privately- Cathay trialled a cargo flight enabling significant owned Brisbane West from the Wellcamp Airport capacity for the growth of Wellcamp Airport has to Hong Kong last year, with trade.” announced weekly air the new service to operate cargo flights to Hong from Sydney to Melbourne Wellcamp Airport. “The Kong, kicking off on 22 before stopping at opportunities this creates for November. Toowoomba and then flying Queensland exporters to direct to Hong Kong. benefit from Australia’s free Cathay Pacific Airways will trade agreements and to operate the cargo services “We are absolutely access the world’s biggest from the Toowoomba-based delighted Cathay Pacific airport in Queensland's has committed to operating Brisbane West Wellcamp Darling Downs agricultural a scheduled weekly Boeing Airport opened in November region – the only scheduled 747-8F service out of the 2014, and also operated international freight-only airport,” said John Wagner, domestic passenger service service in southern co-owner and developer of each week. Queensland. the Brisbane West

New direct jet services between Townsville and Toowoomba

TONY RAGGATT, November 26, 2016

Chin, Cathay Pacific Southwest Pacific general manager.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific this week launched weekly freighter flights from Toowoomba’s West Wellcamp Airport, the only scheduled cargo service from southern Queensland into Hong Kong.

The service will mean fresh produce can be rapidly transported on flights to NEW direct jet services delighted to strengthen its China, North America, between Townsville and relationship with Airnorth Europe and the Middle Toowoomba are set to after the airline began East, or be delivered to provide an important link services between Hong Kong the next day. between two key regional Townsville and Darwin in centres and more options 2012. “We had a good mix of fresh for travellers to explore the produce to Hong Kong and region, according to “The Toowoomba services Asia and oversize cargo to Townsville Airport. will be a great addition to an China, Vietnam, Taiwan and increasingly comprehensive the UK on the first flight.” Darwin-based airline network of domestic travel Airnorth will start the options on offer from Brisbane West Wellcamp services on Monday with Townsville,” Mr Gill said. Airport developer John Wagner said the services onward connections to and “They will also open from Darwin. were a big opportunity for opportunities to showcase exporters. Return flights will operate our destination for travellers every Monday, Wednesday looking to explore the “The Federal Government and Friday from Darwin to region.” has worked collaboratively Townsville and on to with its various departments “We have had an to make this service a Toowoomba with a same- encouraging response from day return. reality for our region’s exporters and shippers in agricultural and exporting Townsville Airport chief the southern half of industries,” Mr Wagner said. operating officer Kevin Gill Queensland as well as said the airport was northern NSW,” said Nelson

Wagner looks to the future with high speed rail Tom Gillespie | 23rd Nov 2016 Inland Rail proposal providing the perfect time instigate it. "Toowoomba is the second-largest inland city in Australia, it has fantastic facilities, massive projects like Grand Central, Wellcamp Airport, the Second Range Crossing, a good hub for the CSG industry and great education," he said. "Why wouldn't we want high-speed rail?

"We need to make sure we TOOWOOMBA is in need Wellcamp," Mr Wagner work together and look of high-speed passenger said. forward to the next 100 rail between Wellcamp years." "What it means is they will Airport and Brisbane to be building the new line and This is not the first time secure its future, within the corridor they need high-speed rail has been according to John to make sure they put a floated for Toowoomba, Wagner. high-speed rail line to link with a pre-feasibility The board director of the airport to Brisbane. study into a 2028 Olympic Wagners Group has urged Games bid suggesting "I think over time, we will be the government-owned high-speed rail would able to justify Toowoomba Australian Rail Track increase the chances of of having a high-speed Corporation to south-east Queensland passenger rail link to accommodate a high-speed winning the bid. Brisbane." rail line when it came time to laying down infrastructure ARTC's Inland Rail project, between Toowoomba and which spans more than

Brisbane for the proposed 1700km, would take freight Inland Rail project. off the road and transport it between Brisbane and "What I'm saying is when Melbourne via Toowoomba, ARTC look at the Inland Wagga and Moree. It is still Rail corridor, they in the planning phase. absolutely need to provision for future high-speed rail Mr Wagner said high-speed between Brisbane and rail was necessary for the region to prosper, with the

National Trunk Rail challenges Inland Rail, investing $10m into project Tom Gillespie | 21st Nov 2016 "Professor McNaughton is very much a learned fellow in rail - he chairs the World High-Speed Rail Committee," Mr Moffat said. "In addition Hans-Peter Vetch was the safety and operations manager for the Gotthard Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the world. "We're very hopeful we'll be able to attract them as advisors." THE organisation behind "NTR proposes alternative Mr Moffat, who has worked the rival of the proposed inland rail alignment that is with Queensland Rail and Inland Rail initiative is 100% new rail infrastructure Rolls-Royce in the past, bringing two international and is designed to provide said the Government rail experts to the shortest straightest and should look to the future for Toowoomba today. flattest line from Brisbane to major infrastructure National Trunk Rail, the Toowoomba," he said. investment. privately-backed consortium "Only by getting that The company have that plans to challenge the attribute right can you get confirmed they hope to sign government-owned freight moved from road to the pair on as project Australian Rail Track rail. advisors. Corporation, has invested more than $10 million to "The ARTC approach is to "There's a lot of talk about develop a plan to build new maximise the existing high-speed rail, but why rail infrastructure between structure, which has more would we do that with old Brisbane and Melbourne. than 1000km of existing rails?" he said. railway lines." NTR general manager Rob The company is chaired by Moffat said the company's NTR has also flown in ex-Thiess head Martin proposal would prove to be experts Professor Andrew Albrecht, with firms such as cheaper than its rival since McNaughton and Hans- Aurecon, Calibre, Allens- the new infrastructure would Peter Vetch to meet with Linklaters and technology be suitable for high-speed economic lobbyists company Siemens backing rail and would not need any Toowoomba and Surat the venture. changes to fit different rail Basin Enterprise. widths.

Cattle train heralds $60M expansion at abattoir

Tom Gillespie | 30th Nov 2016

BREAKING: For the first That project will see staff and cows from south-west time in 23 years a train numbers increase to 1500 and western Queensland to laden with cattle this within three years and the abattoir. morning will stop at capacity will jump to Previously cattle could only Oakey Abattoir. 600,000 head each year. be loaded at Quilpie. About 100 special guests The stretch of rail line The rail line between including mayors from the linking western Queensland Quilpie and Oakey, which Darling Downs and the with the abattoir at Oakey. will transport cattle to be south-west Queensland will processed ready for greet the train. The company was not domestic and international previously able to expand When the train approaches, markets. unless more cattle from about 450 workers from the western Queensland could plant will put down their Queensland Treasurer be sourced. tools and march out to Curtis Pitt has estimated the watch the historic event. Cattle producers had been upgrade could create more excluded from using the rail than 4300 jobs and deliver The chief executive officer service, but a $2.5 million about $1.3 billion in of NH Foods - parent upgrade to the rail sidings at economic activity within the company of Oakey Beef Oakey, Mitchell and Morven region. Exports - Takea Kudo, is - plus a change to services expected to make an Oakey Beef Exports contracts - meant cattle announcement regarding processes animals for both could be delivered to the the start date for a $60 the domestic and booming abattoir. million expansion at the Asian market abattoir. The historic train arriving today will bring 880 bullocks

$35 million factory wins council approval Andrew Backhouse | 18th Nov 2016 application will be lodged with council early next year. Mr Laracy said the company was not seeking to import milk from Victoria, but rather source its milk locally. He said there would be 100 direct employees at the factory and more at the dairy, slated as a barn-style farm rather than open pasture. The director said China was

an obvious market, A $35 million factory Managing director Steve particularly for the infant planned for Toowoomba Laracy said construction formula, but he's also has been approved by work could start as soon as targeting south-east Asian council, paving the way February next year. countries like Vietnam and for construction work to Indonesia. The first stage, approved by begin. Toowoomba Regional Inquiries have been made The Toowoomba Integrated Council yesterday, is for a from as far afield as the Milk Project is a joint $35 million infant formula Middle East and Panama. venture between Au Lait manufacturing facility with a The company will also be Australia and Nature One capacity of 30 million tins a seeking to establish a dairy Dairy. year farm in Texas to supply the It's expected the project will The second stage will factory. create hundreds of process ultra-high- Mr Laracy, who just jobs throughout the region. temperature milk, fresh milk, returned from the milk powder and other The plant will be AccessChina'16 delegation products for domestic and constructed on land on to Shanghai, said Australia international markets. International Dr, in the was seen a "safe food Wellcamp Business Park Mr Laracy said a funding haven". and directly across from process for the second "The clean, green factor is Wellcamp airport. stage could be completed very real," he said. within the next several The Toowoomba Integrated weeks. Milk Project will be built in the Wellcamp Business Once that is complete a Park. further development

International flight restrictions lifted at Toowoomba airport

Mitchell Bingemann November 11, 2016

dividends for the region’s residents,” Dr McVeigh said.

The official designation as an international gateway comes less than a month after the privately funded airport, which was built on a cow paddock west of Brisbane, launched its first ever international passenger flight.

International airlines will airport and overseas That first overseas now be able to operate destinations,” Mr Chester passenger flight departed with unrestricted said. from Brisbane Wellcamp in frequency out of Brisbane late October carrying about West Wellcamp Airport in “I have formally advised my 200 passengers on a Toowoomba, after the Queensland counterpart of special trade mission to government classified the this decision as we continue strengthen business fast-growing hub as a to work toward a stronger relations with China. regional international national economy. Cathay gateway. Pacific announced that later The Brisbane West this month it will commence Wellcamp was built by the The change in classification regular international freight local Wagner family over was today unveiled by services from Toowoomba just 18 months, and opened Transport and Infrastructure to Hong Kong, which is a in 2014 with a regular Minister Darren Chester good first step.” QantasLink service to who said the new Sydney. designation as an Federal Member for Groom international gateway John McVeigh said the Since then, flights to Cairns, delivered on the Coalition’s decision would allow Melbourne and Townsville 2016 election promise to producers, manufacturers have been added by support the airport in and other businesses in Airnorth. attracting increased Queensland to easily sell international services. fresh produce in the Hong Kong-based carrier growing Asian market. Cathay Pacific will “International airlines will be commence weekly able to service the airport “Local businesses could international freight flights without any restrictions benefit from greater on November 22. applying to the number of opportunities in tourism, frequencies that can be trade, and other services, The airport’s runway can operated between the which would pay significant handle aircraft up to a Boeing 747.

Qantas A330 makes history at Wellcamp Airport opening up international trade route

Ben Sandilands November 29, 2016 Basin Enterprise AccessChina charter, Dr Ben Lyons said the trip would be one that delegates and residents would look back on and say “we were there”.

Dr Lyons, who is also CEO of Food Leaders Australia (FLA) said the flight was the realisation of the region’s capability.

“We had the infrastructure built and we have the airport capability so now we’re putting that to use,” Dr Lyons said. The door to passenger an announced international flights between China and air freight service by a “This is a snapshot in time the Australian Outback has Cathay Pacific Boeing 747- where the entrepreneurial opened for business at 8F. spirit in our region grabs Queensland's Wellcamp hold of this initiative and Airport And it linked the Australian doesn’t sit back and wait for outback to the China the market to come to The Qantas A330 that took tourism and business them.” over 200 business and incentives market with a trade delegates to Shanghai dedicated nonstop flight for Dr Lyons said this journey to from the Wagner’s the first time. Asia was the start of many Wellcamp airport west of business export plans. Brisbane this week made The potential for agricultural history at several levels. exports and inbound “In the past some tourism by such flights is businesses have relied on a It was the first international literally unlimited. middle-man or a trader but passenger flight from the On its way, the first this trip will give them the airport built privately by the international flight leaves knowledge and inside Wagner family, which Wellcamp. understanding of where their already has regular product could go and what domestic flights by The project leader for the that process is,” Dr Lyons Qantaslink turbo-props and Toowoomba and Surat said.

“We’ve got everyone from Martin Place bankers to Pittsworth Confectionery, so in essence we’re taking people that have worked on

Delegation departs Wellcamp Airport on international trade mission to China

By Anna MacDonald Posted 23 Oct 2016

Australia's largest private The delegation, led by the we've got some family- trade delegation has left Toowoomba and Surat owned properties and from Toowoomba on the Basin Enterprise, is aimed services firms as well," he first international at building trade relations said. passenger flight from the with China - Australia's region. largest trading partner. "I think the mix is important." More than 250 producers Food Leasers Australia and representatives from chief executive Ben Lyons Weekly freight flights from dozens of south-east said there was a mix of Wellcamp to Hong Kong Queensland businesses delegates hoping to do begin next month. were aboard the Qantas business with China. The passenger flight to flight from Wellcamp Airport Shanghai is the first for the at Toowoomba to Shanghai "We have got some large privately built airport that just after 11:00am. beef producers, some large opened two years ago. beef processors, and then

4000 jobs coming to Toowoomba Andrew Messenger | 6th Apr 2016 its operations and move cattle by rail from Quilpie, Charleville, Morven, Roma and Mitchell, to Oakey. "I have asked Queensland Rail to start planning activities immediately and begin work to upgrade the infrastructure within six months," Mr Hinchliffe said. "The project will include upgrading two sidings and reopening part of the old Cecil Plains branch line which was closed in 1994, it runs directly adjacent to the Oakey Beef facility and will allow the company to Oakey Beef Exports general manager Pat Gleeson reinstate rail freight movements and support EARLIER: More than 4000 provide jobs for more than 4,300 jobs in the jobs have been made Queenslanders and region. possible after the generate economic government announced the prosperity," Mr Pitt said. "This project reflects the reopening of a rail line to a "Today's announcement will Palaszczuk Government's Darling Downs abattoir. help facilitate rail cattle commitment to invest in rail Treasurer Curtis Pitt and movements from South freight and support jobs Minister for Transport West Qld to Oakey which is growth for Queensland. Stirling Hinchliffe today critical to allow Oakey Beef "We want to see more announced $2.5 million to Exports to undertake a $60 freight on our rail network, upgrade rail sidings on the million plant expansion and and will continue to support Western line and reopen double its output. projects that deliver an part of an old branch line to "I am confident that this economic benefit for our support the expansion of investment will generate state. Oakey Beef Exports. significant economic "The Palaszczuk Treasurer Curtis Pitt said benefits within Oakey and Government has been the expansion of the Oakey surrounding areas, working closely with the facility was expected to delivering a major boost for Murweh Council, the South support more than 4300 regional jobs and bolster West Regional Economic jobs and deliver about $1.3 economic confidence in this Development Association billion in economic activity region." and Oakey Beef Exports to within the region. Minister Hinchliffe said the identify the opportunities "The Queensland upgrading of rail that this project will bring to Government is committed to infrastructure would allow Queensland and our supporting projects which the company to streamline economy."

46 new things coming to Toowoomba in 2017 Meghan Harris | 18th Dec 2016

IF you thought this year was big for Interlink SQ Eastville developments in Toowoomba, just Inland Rail will complete the The Eastville development on the wait until next year. Here is a list of backbone of the national rail freight corner of Cohoe and Herries Sts is 46 news things opening next year network between Melbourne and one of the city's newest food and into 2018. Brisbane via regional Victoria, precincts. Oakey Army Aviation Centre New South Wales and Queensland. Glenvale retail development Construction company FKG Group Capital costs for the Inland Rail 10- An application to rezone land in is in charge of the $50 million year program are estimated to be Glenvale has been approved, upgrade of Singaporean facilities at between $9.9 - $10.7 billion. paving the way for a $56 million the Oakey Army Aviation Centre. St Vincent's Hospital expansion development. Ruthven Street North Works will soon start on a $30 QIC Grand Central Streetscape Project million theatre redevelopment at St redevelopment The Ruthven St North Streetscape Vincent's Private Hospital The $500 million QIC Grand Project plan is scheduled for Toowoomba. It is due to be Central redevelopment on the completion by June 2017 and is complete late next year. corner of Margaret and Dent Sts is expected to cost $4.6 million. St Andrew's Hospital expansion the talk of the town. Agricultural Engineering and St Andrew's Hospital will open Social housing Project Technology Precinct new operating theatres and a new A social housing development is The University of Southern mental health facility. It is expected scheduled to get under way later Queensland will soon start the to cost $10.5 million and be this year worth $2.3 million. construction of a $10 million completed late 2017. Agricultural Engineering and Old Sam's Warehouse site Toowoomba Hospital expansion Technology Precinct. THE facades at 373 Ruthven St Toowoomba Hospital is expanding Vanguard Laundry continue to be developed with the its service capacity, building a $8.1 site of the former Sam's Warehouse Vanguard Laundry is a purpose- million seventh general operating redeveloped to make way for new built commercial laundry and theatre. Development is expected to tenants. career development centre. be completed late 2017. Highfields Mews Wellcamp Business Park 3 Burnage St A secure, gated residential complex The development of the Wellcamp The top of the Toowoomba Range called Highfields Mews is to be Business Park is set to ramp up is being transformed, with two built on 8337sqm, on the New with Wagners announcing plans for housing developments set to England Highway, the complex a major new industrial complex. change the entrance to the Garden will consist of 20 homes, with The cost is estimated to be about City. It will cost $10 million and be prices starting from $340,000. $300 million. ready by early next year. Walton Stores Lexus Dealership showroom Vantage development The Walton Stores urban renewal Works are nearing completion at The Vantage development will be a project, located on Ruthven St, has the existing Toowoomba Toyota little community including 16 been described as a daily food and dealership in Ruthven St to build duplex-style town houses and the wine festival. the two-storey Lexus dealership jewel in the centre, a stand alone showroom. villa. Highfields Sport and Rec Park Toowoomba Second Range Anzac Avenue Super Centre Crossing Shopping Complex Highfields Sport and Recreation Park has been awarded $1.5 million Earlier this year works started on Wagners is planning to build a $30 from the state government Get the first $.6 billion stage of the million 1500sqm homeware centre Playing Plus program, with an Toowoomba Second Range on the corner of Anzac Ave and estimated cost of about $10 Crossing. Carrel Dr. million. Burke and Wills Hotel Oakey Beef Exports Palm Lake Resort Toowoomba's iconic Burke & The $60 million upgrade of Oakey The $250 million PALM Lake Wills Hotel is about to undergo a Beef Exports started late last month resort is like no other retirement huge $10 million redevelopment. and will bring 4000 new jobs. living in Toowoomba and is adding South Central Weis redevelopment 322 new homes to the current 221 homes. The South Central $20 million The $38 million development, expansion of the Bernoth Centre known as Living Village Living Gems will include units, a retail and Toowoomba, is an aged care home Residents travelling along South St office area and a café. with 129 residential suites in a will notice the changes to the new three-storey building. Toowoomba Rail Goods Shed Living Gems over 50s resort. Edge Apartments The heritage-listed Toowoomba Potters Boutique Hotel Rail Goods Shed will be There is already strong interest in There will soon be new place to redeveloped at a cost of $10 the planned nine-storey Edge stay in the Toowoomba CBD, with million. Apartments. a $8 million boutique hotel in the Toowoomba Integrated Milk Wilsonton Shopping Centre works on Margaret St. Project The Wilsonton Shopping Centre is Mills Precinct A $230 million factory planned for undergoing a multi-million re- Located in the Toowoomba CBD, Toowoomba has been approved by development, with stage two under The $54 million Mills Precinct will council, paving the way for a re-planning process. showcase one of the city's unique construction work to begin. pieces of history - the Allied Mills Pet food processing plant Aldi Supermarket site. A major 1181sq m processing Plans to build an Aldi supermarket Bunnings Warehouse facility in Toowoomba has been at Highfields were submitted to Hutchinson Builders has started approved by Toowoomba Regional Toowoomba Regional Council on construction of the new $43 million Council. November 29 by Aldi Stores. Bunnings Warehouse on Ruthven Oakey solar farm Empire Theatre St. A $136 million 100,000-panel solar The $5 million renewal program The Bank farm near Oakey has been will ensure the Empire Theatres The Bank development in the CBD approved and will be built in complex retains its unique will combine retail, office suites stages. character and its reputation as the and a roof top bar. leading regional performance Bulli Creek Solar Farm centre in the country. Pulse Data Centre US solar giant SunEdison agreed to Shell renovations FKG Group is bringing the ideas be a co-developer or the region's boom to Toowoomba with plans to mega $1 billion Solar Choice's Developer Hallmark Property establish a technology park. Bulli Creek farm. announced details of the $5 million expansion of the existing Shell and Meat processing plant Yarranlea Solar Coles Express site on the corner of The FKG Group lodged plans for Council has approved a $200 Ruthven and Alderley Sts. an $80 million abattoir in the million solar-energy project that's Witmack Industrial Park, 10km set to transform a rural area near west of Toowoomba, with the Pittsworth. council last year.

$13 billion driving Toowoomba development Meghan Harris | 13th Dec 2016

Shed Repair project have also contributed $20 million to the project approved list. TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles said it was not just the big-ticket projects that had contributed to the growth and spending. The report detailed all projects with spending over $2 million. Property and construction THE Toowoomba region as the $300 million for the projects around the $2 has a projected Wellcamp Commercial million mark include The development spend of $13 Business Park and $50 Bank transformation, 7- billion with major million for an upgrade of the Eleven service stations infrastructure projects Oakey Army Aviation and Zimms Corner driving confidence in the Centre. upgrades. region's economy. The $500 million

A new report by redevelopment of Grand Development Area and the Toowoomba and Surat Central, the $250 upgrade Toowoomba Railway Goods Basin Enterprise puts our of Palm Lake Resort and Mr Charles said it region at the epicentre of $54 million into the Mills wasn't just about the development and Precinct are also changing Mayor spruiking the region, infrastructure. the face of our city. the sentiments were backed The $13 billion figure is Some of the major new by private investment, revealed in TSBE's projects that have come to development and prolonged November 2016 light since the last report growth. Development Status Report, include an anticipated "Infrastructure brings the eighth report produced increased amount to be prosperity and investment in in the past five years. spent on the Inland Rail the diverse Toowoomba project with recent The development spend economy, including the QIC estimates predicting up to continues to increase and is Grand Central re- 50% of the $10 billion up about $3 billion on development, the Wellcamp project to be spent in the 2015's report, signalling airport, the second range region. growing infrastructure crossing, agriculture and requirements. The combined value of the resources, proving Toowoomba Railway Toowoomba is a safe The report includes Parkland Priority harbour for investment," he infrastructure projects such said.

Why Toowoomba is a property hot spot Andrew Backhouse | 17th Aug 2016

Project builder Nexus has promised to provide 76% local participation, which it defines as businesses working on the project which are local.

That could translate into hundreds of jobs.

Mr McGrath said an influx of workers could push rents upwards.

Railway Parklands Precinct

The Queensland Government declared the parklands a priority development area which means projects will be fast tracked.

Situated north of Toowoomba's PROPERTY expert John Mr McGrath also listed the CBD, it will include a mixture of McGrath says Toowoomba, median house price as a selling commercial, industrial, retail and with new infrastructure, retail point, saying at $362,000, it was residential land uses. centre redevelopments and both attractive to the locals and to more lifestyle amenities - is a tree changers, downsizers and Toowoomba Second Range property hot spot. investors. Crossing

John McGrath, considered one of He said the average rent return of The $1.6 billion project is under the most influential figures in the $305 per week and yield of 4.4% construction. Australian property industry, said was "respectable". new infrastcture, retail Grand Central redevelopment Mr McGrath cited four projects as redevelopments, cafes and game changers for Toowoomba. One of the most anticipated retail restaurants were the tell-tale projects under way in signs of the next booming city. Wellcamp Airport Toowoomba, the $500 million He said the city had all the The Wagner family bankrolled the redevelopment is set to transform hallmarks for growth. airport which currently services the way people shop in the CBD. domestic customers. "We believe its strong focus and The construction will see Grand investment in infrastructure, retail The company hopes to begin Central Shopping Centre double and lifestyle precincts will have an exporting produce directly to Asia. in size to approximately impact on both interstate 90,000m². migration and employment Massive development is taking About 60 specialty retailers, opportunities in the short, medium place nearby including including global high street and and long term," he said. the Wellcamp Business Park and the Witmack Industry Park. iconic Australian fashion brands will be situated at the new centre.

Toowoomba new housing stock sells fast Pamela Frost | 18th Mar 2016

change in the market in the past year. He said this time last year, the average house would be on the market for about two to three weeks. Now, he said the average time was six to seven weeks. Unit living is also becoming a trend in Toowoomba. Mr Southwell said a large influx of units in Toowoomba was starting to IF there was simple way was showing more show. to sum up the positivity. He said there had been Toowoomba housing "We're starting to see a lot more stock in both unit market, it would be with more first home buyers sales and rentals and there one word: STRONG. coming into the market, were a lot of people looking Toowoomba real estate which we didn't see to a to downsize from larger agents say the market has great extent in 2015," Mr properties to units without been steady, with new stock Southwell said. large backyards. selling quickly and prices He attributed this to greater Mr Snow said he had also remaining about the same. job certainty after a shake- seen more people looking CoreLogic (CORRECT) RP up of the resources industry for "quality" apartment Data statistics show 714 last year. living. homes were sold in the "Now people have a bit He said there were many Toowoomba region in the more confidence about people from the baby three months to December. what's happening. And as boomer generation going The year recorded a total soon as we go through the into retirement and looking 3351 sales across local and federal elections to stay in their suburb of Toowoomba's suburbs. the better it will be." choice but preferring a place with a garden that Toowoomba Ray White co- REIQ zone chair David was easy to maintain. principal Lindsay Southwell Snow said buyers were said there was no shortage usually more tentative when Going into the next few of investors towards the end a federal election was years, Mr Snow expects the of last year which led to looming. He said many market will be reasonably higher sales. buyers were currently strong for the foreseeable waiting and watching. future. He said the market had been steady and this year Mr Snow, of Peter Snow & Co, said he had noticed a

Queensland’s top 5 growth suburbs all in boom real estate market Toowoomba Andrew Backhouse | 29th Oct 2016

Mr Gatfield said the industrial hub at Charlton and educational facilities like the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba campus made the Garden City a great place to live. He said young families were looking to buy, and also build in the region. "Toowoomba has so much potential, the climate and proximity to major centres. "It's a good place to be in real estate." • Centenary Heights - PROJECTS like the 2bd - 3.9% - Historically low interest Toowoomba Second $239,000 rates are also playing a Range Crossing are role. boosting real estate • Kearneys Spring - 2bd - 3.6% - Mr Gatfield said people prices in Toowoomba, were looking for a solid with the city claiming the • Newtown - 2bd - investment and didn't need top five suburbs for 3.1% a lot of capital to invest in growth in Queensland. properties. Real estate agent Bruce Realestate.com.au ranked Gatfield said the growth was He said rental vacancies the top five suburbs in the related to confidence from had tightened in state based on a maximum the huge amount of Toowoomba to about 2%. median price of $350,000 investment in and around for units with one or two the city. bedrooms. He said the $500 million The results, listed by redevelopment of Grand suburb, unit type, annual Central, Brisbane West growth, median price Wellcamp Airport and the include: proposed Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project • Wilsonton - 2bd - had buoyed confidence. 5.7%

• Toowoomba City - 2bd - 4.9% -

TOOWOOMBA PROPERTY BOOM: Businesses sell for $8.7m

Elouise Quinlivan | 2nd Sep 2016 Toowoomba's property market. "Competition continues to be strong in regional Queensland this financial year, particularly for investments that are well leased in the $1m to $5m range," he said. In Warwick, the Coffee Club sold for $2,130,000 and the Hungry Jacks for $3,170,000. Both were sold

ahead of being listed for MILLION dollar sales across The Pizza Hut has an auction. Toowoomba and the wider annual rental return of region is boosting the $115,306. Mr Ingram said commercial regional trend towards properties throughout commercial investing "Toowoomba is known as the commercial capital of regional Queensland were according to commercial highly sought after. agency Burgess Rawson. the Darling Downs so it's no surprise we had 85 "The interest shown by Selling agent David Ingram enquiries for the investors and price levels revealed Toowoomba's Toowoomba site during the achieved point to a strong Pizza Hut site sold for campaign," he said. market environment for $1,850,000 and Carbal well-leased opportunities," Medical Centre's office sold "Bidding was seen from Mr Ingram said. for $1,525,000 last financial Melbourne, Sydney and year. Brisbane, with the eventual The Hungry Jacks site was purchaser being a Gold purchased by a Brisbane- Mr Ingram said Pizza Hut Coast-based family." based investor who owns was highly sought after due similar fast food to its strong regional The Ruthven St Carbal investments in Queensland. location and position within Medical Centre site was the Caltex, KFC and sold by agent Glenn Mr Ingram said the site built Subway retail complex Conridge with a five-year in 2010 was popular due to opposite Toowoomba Plaza lease until June 2020 and its location. Shopping Centre. extension options until 2030. "The region is strategically He said with a 10-year located at the junction of lease until 2024 and the Mr Ingram said with plans many national highways option to extend the lease for Inland Rail, the Brisbane and from Warwick there are until 2034 was also West Wellcamp airport and direct roads to Brisbane, attractive to investors. Toowoomba Second Range Sydney and Melbourne," Mr Crossing all helped drive Ingram said.

Toowoomba gets 3 stars in housing report

Rebecca Vonhoff | 3rd Nov 2016

Eight Queensland postcodes were awarded an elite four-star plus rating, meaning Mr Christopher believed these to be areas where "prices tend to be more stable during downturns". All eight postcodes were located in Brisbane or its surrounding suburbs. SQM Research Pty Ltd is an Australian investment TOOWOOMBA'S housing The report, released today, research house, market has been given an gives almost every specialising in providing encouraging three-star postcode in the country a ratings and data. It was rating in the latest Boom rating ranging from 1 to 5 founded and is run by Mr or Bust Report by SQM stars for the year ahead. Christopher. Research. Stars are awarded based on

The 4350 postcode scored demographics, price READER POLL 3.26, meaning it was volatility, suburb supply, headed for neither boom, vacancy rates, mortgage Are you optimistic about nor bust, but had potential stress, long term price Toowoomba's housing to outperform other suburbs performance and income market in 2017? in the medium term. growth. This poll ended on 03 Toowoomba has scored Overall, Queensland's December 2016. 3.26 stars in today's Boom housing market performed Yes - 61% or Bust Report. well, with report author No - 38% Louis Christopher awarding In the three-star category, half its postcodes with a This is not a scientific poll. the city outscored holiday three-star rating, ranging The results reflect only the hotspots Surfers Paradise from 3.99 to 3.0. opinions of those who (3.04), Noosa Heads (3.1) chose to participate. By comparison, the SQM and Maroochydore (3.1) but property analyst warned came in behind Ipswich that the Sydney and (3.52), Townsville (3.44) Melbourne housing markets and Gympie (3.45). were "deeply overvalued."

Toowoomba's strong housing market defies regional woes Tom Gillespie | 5th Jan 2017

Downs was going against large range of infrastructure more depressing figures out projects," she said. of other regional towns like LJ Hooker's sales manager Bundaberg, Gladstone and Alan Reilly disputed the unit Townsville. market figures from REIQ, "Toowoomba is one of the saying the numbers didn't few regional markets to tell the full story. buck the trend of falling "Rather than mainly older medians," she said. units being sold, it's now "The quarterly median of newer units. The unit $350,000 is 1.5 per cent market is ok, but it varies," higher than last quarter. he said. "The market is also "In Harlaxton, unit prices performing well over the have dropped 13%, but in medium term, with 19.6% Harristown the prices have growth on the median of increased 29%." LJ Hooker's sales manager $292,750 in 2011." Quarterly house price Alan Reilly.Contributed In comparison, Gladstone's growth from REIQ:

market fell 16.7% in three - Brisbane: -1.6% TOOWOOMBA has defied months, Bundaberg's the growing gap between dropped 9.6% and - Ipswich: 1.4% regional and urban Townsville was down 1.5%. housing prices, with the - Moreton Bay: 2.8% Toowoomba's unit market latest figures revealing a was also one of the best - Gold Coast: 5.6% sharp increase in average performing in the state, she house prices. - Toowoomba: 1.5% said. Statistics from the Real - Sunshine Coast: -1% "The Toowoomba unit Estate Institute of market is probably the best - Bundaberg: -9.6% Queensland put performing unit market in Toowoomba's median - Gladstone: -16.7% the state, if not Australia, house price for the and has grown 26.8% in five - Rockhampton: 11% September quarter at years, which is probably a $350,000. - Townsville: -1.5% result of workers being REIQ CEO Antonia drawn to the area for the Mercorella said the Darling

InterlinkSQ's has massive plans for Toowoomba region in 2017 Meghan Harris | 9th Jan 2017 the Port of Brisbane and Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. InterlinkSQ cheif executive officer Michelle Reynolds said the project was initiated to help build Toowoomba's prosperity and give opportunities for businesses to benefit from the construction and operation of the estate. "The InterLinkSQ project, including the InterLink CONSTRUCTION of roads, a large type two road Global Logistics Centre InterlinkSQ's $235 million train accessible roundabout, and InterLink Industrial rail transfer station will major drainage open Park, is expected to start early this year channel works, contribute $110m to the triggering a flow-on of underground stormwater Queensland economy," economic benefits to the drainage pipes, culverts, she said. Toowoomba region and water and sewerage including the initial reticulation. "This is done through the creation of jobs. construction phase and a It will create the initial round further $1.075bn in the Construction is already of jobs working towards the operational phase, 80 per under way to upgrade projected 1500 jobs at full cent of which is expected to development. Steger Rd, providing access be generated in the for type one and type two InterLinkSQ is an Toowoomba Local road trains to InterLinkSQ, intermodal transport and Government Area. with construction expected logistics centre and to start on stages one and "We are already seeing developing inland port, just two of the InterLinkSQ interest from national and 13km west of Toowoomba, development in the first international companies designed to maximise quarter of 2017. looking to bring new transportation and supply industry to the region and InterLinkSQ stages one and chain cost efficiencies. take advantage of the sales two has a civil works budget InterLinkSQ is situated as a and leasing opportunities." of $40 million. major centre for freight It involves the construction moving between of the intermodal freight metropolitan centres terminal, 11 industrial lots including Brisbane, and associated Melbourne, Sydney, Perth infrastructure including and Darwin as well as via

Two powerhouse companies to drive Toowoomba projects worth $300M Andrew Backhouse | 3rd Jan 2017 He said other projects were also on the horizon, but could not provide specifics due to confidentiality agreements. Mr Wagner said bulk earthworks and roads were needed in the park. He said much of the underground services were already in place. The company also intends to construct a research and development facility for its The Pulse Data Centre. Photo Contributed Earth Friendly Concrete TWO powerhouse expected to start in product. Toowoomba companies February. Mr Wagner said there were are planning a suite of In the second half of this a number of opportunities major developments in year construction could start around the world for earth Charlton and Wellcamp on the first of the technology friendly concrete, this year, with the price- park buildings, worth about predominantly in the Middle tag to hit well over $300 $5 million. East and India. million. FKG is constructing that "We are under some FKG alone is planning to project for the company, pressure to build that spend $250m in and around with a total investment of research facility in one of its two major precincts; about $4 million. those markets, which are Witmack Industry Park and much bigger than Australia," Toowoomba Technology The company is also hoping he said. Park. to win approval for a planned $80 million meat At Brisbane West Wellcamp The project is worth processing plant. Airport the company is between $10 and $12m and planning a second freight will see new jobs created. Wagners is also expecting facility. projects in the Charlton Another industrial building Logistics Park to ramp up. He said it was needed to which will service general service the Cathay Pacific industry is also planned for Chairman Denis Wagner service and growing the second half of next year, said two huge demand on freight. worth about $6m. developments were planned; the new $9m Mr Wagner said more Work on the Pulse Data RSPCA building and a hangars could be needed Centre, which will anchor a $35m milk factory. for operators as he $50m, 29ha technology expected an increase in the park development is number of freight flights.

Wellcamp tops passenger growth rates Tara Miko | 22nd Dec 2016

In terms of year-on-year passenger growth, the new airport increased from 37,500 in the 12 months to June 2015, to 89,200 by June 2016. It reflects the nationwide trend of domestic travel increasing, according to the report. "There were 4.81 million passengers carried on Australian domestic commercial aviation in June 2016, an increase WELLCAMP airport has passengers, putting it ahead of 2.6% on June 2015,” recorded the strongest of long-established airports the report found. growth in passenger including Roma, Whyalla, movements of any Burnie and Broken Hill. Sydney remained the regional airport in the busiest domestic airport Cairns topped the list, country. with 2.06 million followed by Hobart, Darwin passengers, following by With 89,200 passengers and Townsville. Melbourne and Brisbane. every year, the airport also "Out of the top 50 regional climbed into the top 50 airports, the strongest performing regional airports, growth was at Wellcamp according to the latest airport (up 82.2 per cent on domestic aviation activity June 2015), while the report for the year ending largest decrease was at June 2016. Roma airport (down 45.5% The annual Department of on June 2015),” the report Infrastructure and Regional read. Development report found Wellcamp, which opened in 1.95 million domestic 2014, now includes regular passenger movements routes to regional Cairns, through regional airports. Townsville and Darwin, as

Wellcamp's growth well as metro markets in launched it into the top 50 Sydney and Melbourne. list at 38 for monthly

Cambooya to get supermarket, bakery, café as town set to double in size by 2022 Andrew Backhouse | 3rd Oct 2016

An economic impact and need assessment predicts first year sales of $2.9 million for the proposed shops, and this also represents the likely impact on existing centres and shops in 2018. The Cambooya Store and Newsagency on Eton St are likely to compete directly for sales in the trade area. A café or takeaway shop may compete to some extent with the Bull and Barley Inn.

The report states there is no The proposed development is part of the Cambooya Ridge Estate. bakery or hairdressing shop in the trade area and these DEVELOPERS have unveiled plans for a shopping centre in would not compete locally. Cambooya, a picturesque town just south of Toowoomba. It states the proposed shops Eromanga Earthmoving No 4 Pty Ltd have submitted plans with are unlikely to materially Toowoomba Regional Council for a shopping centre in Cambooya. impact upon the small The development is proposed to include a small supermarket or shops in or near the convenience store, bakery, café or takeaway and a hairdresser. Cambooya Rural trade area as these serve highly The centre will be built on a 3,500sq m block of land at Harrow St localised markets. South. The $2.9 million in sales at There will also be secondary frontages to Ridge Dr and Bishop St. June 2018 is likely to be The centre will extend over an area of 403.56sq m and include generated overwhelmingly onsite 15 car parks. through the retention of trade that would otherwise It will be built as part of the Cambooya Ridge Estate, of which one have gone to Toowoomba. stage has already opened with about 45 house sites and a commercial site. The township's population is forecast to double between Stage two is now titled and is ready to build According to Colliers, 2011 and 2022, largely due over 70 lots have already been sold from the 113 available. to the on-going . development at the new estate.

Why Toowoomba is the most beautiful inland city in Australia Meghan Harris | 6th Jan 2017

our great parks and gardens but also our four seasons. "It is also our flourishing restaurant and cafe scene along with top events like Carnival of Flowers and First Coat that makes us so desirable and beautiful." Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said he encouraged anyone thinking about visiting our region to come along and see the beauty it had to offer. "The list of accolades for TOOWOOMBA'S stunning The website mentioned the Toowoomba is growing and parks and gardens make beauty of the Japanese it's wonderful to be the city one of the most Gardens and Queens Park. recognised by online travel beautiful places in site Expedia as one of Australia. Expedia also mentioned Australia's most beautiful Gip's Restaurant, where destinations," he said. According to travel website people can dine in the Expedia, Toowoomba is the garden surrounded by an "We have long known that fifth most beautiful place in historic building. we live in one of the best the country. places in Australia but it's According to the site, the great to see this recognised Expedia is one of the four spots that are more by those external to us. world's leading travel beautiful than Toowoomba companies, with an are Cairns coming in at "I say to anyone thinking extensive brand portfolio number one, followed by about visiting our region to that includes some of the The Whitsundays, Fraser come on in - you won't be most trusted online travel Island and Noosa Heads. disappointed." brands. A Southern Queensland Cr Antonio also believes the The site listed the top 25 Country Tourism recognition is the catalyst most beautiful places in spokeswoman said there for tourism to take off in Australia based on unique was no doubt we lived in a Toowoomba. charm, breathtaking unique and desirable city. "We are really working on architecture and photo- building our tourism profile, worthy scenery. "There is nowhere quite like Toowoomba. There are a so this recognition and number of reasons we publicity is very well timed," made it on to the list - it is he said.

Toowoomba’s Wellcamp airport becomes international gateway Andrew Backhouse | 11th Nov 2016 "Local businesses could benefit from greater opportunities in tourism, trade, and other services, which would pay significant dividends for the region's residents. Wagners chairman and airport developer John Wagner said the announcement provided valuable certainty for airlines and the airport in building international services for the region. A change in classification applying to the number of "We would like to thank the means Wellcamp airport frequencies that can be Federal Government and the is now classed as a operated between the Department of Infrastructure regional international airport and overseas and Transport for their gateway under Australia's destinations. continued support in realising international air services "I have formally advised my the potential opportunities that arrangements. Queensland counterpart of the airport creates for The decision will allow this decision as we continue Queensland," Mr Wagner international airlines to to work toward a stronger said. operate with unrestricted national economy. He said the airport was now frequency. "Cathay Pacific announced truly international. Federal Minister for that later this month it will Cathay Pacific will start its Infrastructure and Transport commence regular weekly freighter service Darren Chester made the international freight services from the airport later this announcement today. from Toowoomba to Hong month and the airport's next Kong, which is a good first "This announcement goal will be attracting step." delivers on the Coalition's passenger aircraft from 2016 election commitment Federal Member for Groom Asia. to support the airport in John McVeigh said the Wellcamp airport general attracting increased decision would allow manager Phil Gregory said international services as producers, manufacturers the new classification would part of the regional and other businesses in take away red tape. package," Mr Chester said. Queensland to reap the rewards of a localised Previously airlines that "International airlines will be freight service, and more wanted to visit Wellcamp able to service the airport easily sell fresh produce in airport needed to apply for a without any restrictions the growing Asian market. special approval.