The Queensland Government has committed $12 million to support the establishment of what it says will be Australia’s first sovereign wide-body aircraft paint and refinishing facility at Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, with the project expected to strengthen the region’s manufacturing, aerospace and defence capabilities.
The funding has been awarded to US-based Landlocked Aviation through the Queensland Government’s $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund.
The project is expected to attract almost $52 million in total investment and create more than 750 jobs across construction and operations.
According to the Queensland Government, Landlocked Aviation will build a purpose-designed 7,685-square-metre facility capable of servicing both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. The site is expected to provide aircraft strip and repainting, partial repainting, blending and corrosion protection services.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the investment would establish a new aviation and defence capability in the region.
“This investment will establish a critical and unique defence and aviation capability in Toowoomba, creating jobs, strengthening local supply chains and ensuring Australia is less reliant on offshore providers,” Bleijie said.
The Queensland Government said the facility would address the current reliance on overseas providers for much of the aircraft repainting and refinishing work. Landlocked Aviation Managing Director Andrew Howard said the project would bring that capability onshore.
“Australia does not currently have an onshore capability to repaint wide-body aircraft. When these aircraft need repainting, the work goes offshore, along with the skills and economic activity it supports,” Howard said.
“From 2028, we intend for that work to stay in Australia and be done here at Wellcamp.”
Construction is expected to support up to 600 jobs, while the completed facility is forecast to employ more than 150 highly skilled workers. Operations are expected to begin in 2028, with completion targeted for early that year.
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the project would contribute to the region’s industrial development.
“This project is exactly the type of investment Queensland needs, attracting private sector confidence, creating skilled jobs and growing our industrial capability for the future,” Janetzki said.
Landlocked Aviation said the facility would also support the development of an aviation workforce, with plans to take on apprentices from its first year of operation and work with UniSQ and TAFE Queensland.
“Aircraft refinishing is highly skilled trade work, learned through formal training and practical experience on the hangar floor,” Howard said. “We will take on apprentices from our first year of operation.”
Member for Condamine Pat Weir said the project demonstrated the role regional communities could play in attracting international investment and developing sovereign defence capability.
“This investment is a significant vote of confidence in the Toowoomba region and our local capabilities,” Weir said.
The Queensland Government said the Sovereign Industry Development Fund is intended to support projects across sectors including defence, biomedical industries and biofuels, with the broader aim of increasing sovereign industrial capability and attracting private investment.
