Strong future for city
Wagner on panel for luncheon
ONE of Toowoomba’s most powerful businessmen has cautioned against government “over-regulation” ahead of a major business luncheon this week.
Wagners Holding Company chairman Denis Wagner will lead an all-star panel at Picnic Point tomorrow for the Strong Australia forum, presented by the Business Council of Australia in partnership with Sky News and News Ltd.
But for business confidence to remain strong, Mr Wagner warned against any future regulations of the industry, which he said could restrict future growth in regional areas.
“With both Wagners Holding Company and Wagner Corporation, what we’ve been able to show is that you can build a large-scale business in a regional area – we’ve done that,” he said.
“Governments have got an important part to play, but what we don’t want to be is over-regulated.
“There is a responsibility for industry to be compliant, but what we want is for governments to provide a framework that allows us to thrive.
“Let us do our job, and let private infrastructure and enterprises create jobs for the regions.”
Wellcamp and Charlton have become focal points in Toowoomba’s economic growth, particularly thanks to the future-thinking achievements of both the Wagnerowned Wellcamp Airport and FKG’s new Pulse Data Centre.
Mr Wagner said the rest of the country was starting to take notice of Toowoomba.
“Certainly, Toowoomba is well and truly on the map and there is a lot of cohesion about what’s happening and what will happen,” he said.
The luncheon will be televised on Sky News and hosted by the newwork’s political editor David Speers.
Other panellists include BCA executive Jennifer Westacott, EnergyAustralia managing director Catherine Tanna and WSP chief executive Guy Templeton.
Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at www.strongaustralia.com.au.