The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier, Mike Baird flew into Merimbula on Monday morning to announce nearly $6 million in funding for the airport, $1.2 million from the federal government’s National Stronger Regions Fund, which must be matched by council, dollar for dollar and $4.4 million from the state government.

The money will be used to extend the northern end of the runway, seal the southern end, install baggage handling and security, as well as upgrade the terminal to increase its footprint.

Monday’s announcement included state government funding of $29 million to extend Eden Wharf to enable 300 metre cruise ships to dock alongside which Mr Turnbull said would “bring more tourism to Bega Shire”.

“Tourism is one of our most important exports and remember next year is the year of China Australia tourism and we will be seeing more Chinese visitors than ever before across Australia and coming to the south coast, driving jobs and growth,” Mr Turnbull said.

NSW Premier Mike Baird called it an exciting day for the Far South Coast.

“I don’t think we have seen in our lifetime, such an investment in tourism here in the Far South Coast. These two projects together will attract tourism from across the world and across Australia to come down to one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. The investment here will provides additional capacity for larger aircraft.” 

Mr Baird said that NSW had just surpassed Canada as the largest cruise ship market in the world.

“Passengers if they land, will bring significant economic benefits for the local community. There’s great opportunity for cruise ships travelling between Sydney and Melbourne to stop here and up to 40 are planned to stop here,” Mr Baird said.

There was acknowledgement too that regional NSW had been ignored in the past.

“NSW tourism is a huge driver for the local economy. I think for too long we have ignored regional NSW in the sense of the opportunity for regional tourism and infrastructure,” Mr Baird said.