By MATT NICHOLLS
VISITORS to Armidale could be flying in on bigger planes in the near future after a $3.5 million promise was delivered by the Federal Government.
The cash injection via New England MP Barnaby Joyce means Armidale Dumaresq Council will now go ahead with extending the terminal at the airport and prepare for bigger and better services.
Mayor Laurie Bishop said he was thrilled the election promise had been met and said he hoped an upgraded airport would encourage competition to the region.
“There’s no question that competition is important,” he said. “While QantasLink provides a generally good service, I feel that it would only improve if they had another major airline breathing down their neck.”
Mr Joyce said assisting the council with funding was a priority for the electorate.
“The upgrade of the Armidale Airport is an important economic development for the future of our region and that is why I am so pleased to have secured the funding,” he said.
“The ability to offer more airline competition will build on the existing strengths of the airport and has the potential to attract more tourists and more business opportunities.”
Cr Bishop said the council had already committed $1.8 million from its own coffers to upgrade the lighting and build a taxiway adjacent to the runway.
Council’s executive director of strategic projects David Stellar said the terminal would be extended to the south and provisions would be made for passenger screening.
“If QantasLink decided to fly its Q400s to Armidale, which seat 70 people, then passenger screening would be necessary,” he said.
“At the moment, that’s not possible.”
Cr Bishop said he expected the airport surrounds to look vastly different in five years’ time.
“We’re in the process of extending the water and sewerage lines up to the airport, which includes the industrial area,” he said.
“Council anticipates a lot of growth around due to its proximity to the airport, New England Highway and Armidale itself.”
The $3.5 million grant for Armidale Dumaresq Council was part of a $9.3 million New England package announced by Mr Joyce last week.
It included $250,000 to the New England Regional Art Museum Limited to assist with an air-conditioning upgrade and $500,000 to Guyra Shire Council towards the establishment of a new dementia wing at the Kolora aged care facility.
