Merimbula airport has been shortlisted for allocation of state government funding following a last minute change to its application by Bega Valley Shire Council.
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At the June council meeting council decided to opt for a smaller cut ($6.7 million) of the $50 million state government pie rather than attempt to get total funding of $24.5 million to update and expand the airport.
The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) shortlist was announced by Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro, on Friday June 19 who at the same time said that the fund had doubled to $100 million for 25 shortlisted projects to help grow regional economies in NSW.
“We have allocated up to $95 million for regional airports and $5 million to pilot a rail trail project that has the potential to link vineyards, a museum and other small businesses.
“Expanding the funding arrangements for regional airport infrastructure is a long term investment to improve services for residents and has the greatest capacity to increase visitor numbers to regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Infrastructure and member for Bega, Andrew Constance said: “The RTIF is designed to meet future capacity by focusing on essential infrastructure projects including airports, rail trails and cruise terminals, to collectively create more jobs and grow tourism in regional NSW.”
The 24 shortlisted regional airport projects as well as a scenic 21-kilometre stretch of unused rail corridor in southern NSW will be invited to submit detailed applications by August 31.
The news has delighted council’s general manager, not least because it carries no dollar for dollar commitment and therefore has no impact on ratepayers.
Should it be successful in obtaining the funds, council is proposing to use the $6.7 million as part of a staged development for the airport. The money would be used to:
· Existing runway 200m extension north $2m
· Seal to the end of the RESA (runway end safety area) south $1.2m
· Expand existing terminal building $1m
· Develop precinct 1 General Aviation – hangar development including services $2.5m
As part of the Airport Master Plan, development was originally to be triggered by increases in passenger numbers but more recently council says it has become aware of greater opportunities for development. Ms Barnes said: “Canberra airport has a master plan with a list of routes they want to develop in the medium term and that includes Merimbula and Moruya.”
She also said that there were opportunities through the cruise industry and developments taking place at the Port of Eden.
Council will now be modifying its application for federal funds for the airport to reflect its shortlisted status. The federal funding application closes in July and is dollar for dollar matched funding.
