QUEENSLAND's 11 internally based trade commissioners have had a first-hand look at the potential of the soon to be opened Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and its associated business park as a departure point for agricultural products to international markets.
The dinner following the Trade and Investment Queensland meeting in Toowoomba was the initiative of the business development group Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.
In addition to the commissioners and other TIQ staff, it brought together the region's mayors, representatives of airport owners Wagners and other industry leaders.
Toowoomba Regional Shire Mayor Paul Antonio said Wellcamp was the first new public airport in Australia in 50 years and the first to built by private enterprise.
"We are in a fortunate era of infrastructure with a high level of cooperation between the state and federal governments," Mr Antonio said.
"First we have this airport, soon we will have the second Toowoomba range crossing, and we are excited by the prospect of the inland railway.
"Many of the problems that happen in agriculture are outside the farm gate.
"Very often they're to do with our existing rail, air and road infrastructure.
"This is now an area at the cusp of development and opportunity."
Mr Antonio said 50 percent of all freight exported through the Port of Brisbane was transported through the streets of Toowoomba.
As a result of the development across the region, Toowoomba's population was expected to double to 210,000 by 2031, he said.
The dinner featured a range of products likely to freighted out the airport - including beef, lamb and pork, milk and cheeses, Granite Belt wines, and a variety of fruit and vegetables prepared by leading Toowoomba chef Mark Kenny from Fitzy's.
The first flight into Wellcamp is expected on November 17.
Mark Phelps
Editor-in-chief of Queensland Country Life.
Editor-in-chief of Queensland Country Life.
