Manufacturing renaissance on Downs
THERE is a renaissance currently under way rejuvenating the manufacturing industry across the Darling Downs. It’s been an intense period of revival and renewed growth for the industry, characterised by increased investment, innovation, and collaboration among manufacturers in the region. Darling Downs’ proximity to boundless natural resources and energy generation, space within our industrial precincts, our logistics hubs and access to transport is the perfect recipe for attracting new manufacturers.
The manufacturing industry has always been a heavy lifter in the Darling Downs economy, contributing more than $3.6 billion to the local economy with nearly 800 manufacturing businesses. Fiona Gaske, Chair of Regional Development Australia – Darling Downs and South West, advises that, “The manufacturing industry is an important contributor to the Darling Downs economy, providing employment opportunities, generating revenue, and helping to drive economic growth in the region. Darling Downs manufacturers are known for their quality and innovation, and this has helped them remain competitive in Australian and global markets.”
With unprecedented investment and the attraction of new global entrants and new technologies, the Darling Downs manufacturing industry is set to further flourish. Darling Downs’ existing manufacturing industry is diverse, with a range of sub-sectors, including food and beverage manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, mining and agricultural equipment manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing. This diversity has helped to create a resilient and sustainable industry that provides employment opportunities across a range of skill levels.
The Darling Downs is also renowned for its innovation and commercialisation of new product to market. Manufacturing is the driver of research and development, with the region punching well above its weight in terms of registered patents of new technology. The AgTech and Logistics Hub, based in Wellcamp, is a great example of this locally and is hosting two of Queensland’s most prominent leaders in innovation, the Chief Scientist Professor Bronwyn Harch and the Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer OAM on March 2 at 10am to 11.30am on “Research Impact Pathways”. In the Ag Tech sphere alone, this hub has grown over 100 new jobs and millions of dollars of new product through to market.
There are some serious players complementing our existing diverse manufacturing industry, with investments announced by Boeing, Virgin Orbit and UniSQ’s $50M iLAuNch Trailblazer University initiative. Demand has never been higher for our skilled workforce, who have a reputation for producing highquality goods. Adding defence, satellite, and space industries to an industry already employing nearly 9000 people across Toowoomba, the Western Downs and Maranoa, will further reinforce our manufacturing industry within the supply chain as an enabler of other industries. Manufacturing job opportunities are set to explode. Increased collaboration across the industry will ensure the region makes the very most of this manufacturing revival.
Jennifer Rix, Toowoomba Chamber Board Member, Director of RDA DDSW, Chair of the Toowoomba Regional Jobs Committee, Co-chair of the local Trade Investment Qld Committee