DEPUTY Prime Minister Warren Truss has urged Hastings residents to get behind the upgraded Port Macquarie airport and use it to ensure its success.
Speaking at the official opening of a $21m upgrade last week, the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, said the improved infrastructure would equip the airport to cater for future growth.
“At the moment, approximately 225,000 passengers pass through the airport every year,” Mr Truss said.
“The newly completed upgrade gives Port Macquarie the next major impetus to promote growth in passenger numbers, with the potential for up to 350,000 passengers per year by 2019.
“Beyond that, the Airport Master Plan forecasts continued growth so that by 2030 passenger numbers look set to hit 450,000 per year. The upgrade ensures that the airport will be able to cope with the predicted increase.”
Mr Truss said the Australian Government contributed $15m to the project, with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council funding the remaining $6m.
“Now I guess our job and the council’s job is to start paying money of because we’ve all had to borrow it, and we now need people to use it so that there will be funding available to ensure that this facility is profitable and moves to next stage of development.”
Other politicians at the official opening included the Federal Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling. The Deputy Prime Minister and mayor joined together to unveil a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the upgrade.
Dr Gillespie said that 122 jobs were created during the project’s construction phase alone.
“The works involved an upgrade and extension of the existing main runway to 1.8km long by 45m wide,” Dr Gillespie said.
“The project also involved extension and upgrade of the existing taxiway system and works to allow for additional parking positions for larger aircraft.
“The airport has now had two major upgrades in the past seven years, the first allowing it to cater for jet aircraft, and this latest upgrade which will give it capacity to handle larger jets.
“With this upgrade now complete, I have approached both Qantas and Virgin Australia about the potential for a new service direct to Melbourne and I have been particularly pleased with their initial responses.”
Mayor Peter Besseling said the opening marked a major milestone for Port Macquarie airport and the local community.
“This project began back in 2009/10 with the update of the Airport Master Plan following the previous $12.2 million improvement works undertaken by council in 2007/08,” Cr Besseling said.
“Since the completion of the previous upgrade we’ve seen growth in services to Sydney and the introduction of new services to Brisbane, resulting in a doubling of passenger numbers over that time.
“This upgrade will provide the next major impetus to promote growth in passenger numbers, providing further employment, economic and tourism benefits to our region.”
The upgraded runway, taxiway and apron infrastructure provides the capacity for up to 180-seat B737-800 and A320 aircraft as operated by the main domestic airlines.
The official opening was attended by representatives from QantasLink and Virgin Australia in addition to councillors and other community representatives. QantasLink has announced a new direct same-day-return service to Brisbane one day a week starting in May.
Cr Besseling acknowledged the financial support provided by the Australian Government as well as the support of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, local chambers of commerce and the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association with various funding applications. He also noted that council’s own investment in airport infrastructure in recent years had been approximately $20m – all from its airport business unit as opposed to council’s general fund.
Cr Besseling said this investment was a clear demonstration of council’s commitment to making Port Macquarie airport the premier gateway to the Mid North Coast.
Council was also working on other improvements including the provision of a new rental and staff car park and improvements to the Hastings River Drive/Boundary Street intersection.
Cr Besseling said council would continue its discussions with the airlines in a bid to promote further growth in the range of services available to underpin local business and tourism industries.
He also urged Hastings residents to support the airport to ensure its success.
“While we all want to see growth in services, it is important that we all continue to support our existing services and new services as they are brought into operation, as ultimately it is the passenger numbers that will drive the airlines,” he said.
