Premier of the Australian state of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has announced Air Freight Handling Services (AFHS) has been selected to establish two Regional Trade Distribution Centres (RTDC) in Cairns and Toowoomba.
Cairns International Airport is one of the sites selected, with construction of the 3,400m2 facility anticipated to commence in the second quarter of 2020, taking just over a year to complete. Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, will be the second site.
The centres will help boost exports of fresh produce, including avocadoes, melons, citrus, blueberries, mangoes and other tropical fruits.
“This will supercharge rapid airfreight access for agricultural producers,” said premier Palaszczuk.
Minister for state development, Cameron Dick, said the centre would boost access to markets in Asia, Europe and other global markets for Queensland producers.
“As well as creating jobs, the centre will allow North Queensland’s fruit and seafood industries along with a range of other industries improved access to international markets which, in turn will have a flow-on benefit to regional communities,” he said.
This announcement comes alongside news the long-awaited NT freight hub at Darwin Airport is due to commence construction this week.
