Up, up and away for $5m airport upgrade

Calare MP John Cobb and Bathurst mayor Gary Rush visited the airport to deliver the news that the two levels of government would each provide $2.5 million towards improving the facility under Round Two of the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund. 

The upgrade will see the construction of a taxiway, a large sealed aircraft parking area and sewer reticulation, a new fence around the perimeter of the airport, tie-down facilities for smaller aircrafts and new CCTV security.

Mr Cobb said upgrading the airport was an important measure to ensure the facility could accommodate growing traffic into the future, particularly during the Bathurst 1000 when there is an increase in private planes touching down.

“It is about taking Bathurst Airport into the future as business proposition,” Mr Cobb said.

“It is a proposition for corporates to put up hangars and the rest and I just think it is great that we have come so far in a couple of years and we’ve got a lot further to go.

“Well done to Bathurst Council for putting in for this money and to my government.”

Cr Rush echoed his comments, confirming council’s appreciation of the federal government’s support and stating that the upgrades would create further opportunities for industry.

While Bathurst Airport supports passenger flights for Rex Airlines, the facility is also used for flight training by Central West Flying and the Australian Air Force Cadets, along with providing landing space for private aircraft.

Chris Stott from Central West Flying said the upgrades would allow the airport to better cater to the high volume of people who used it on a daily basis.

“They’ve got $5 million - that is going to allow them to build a taxiway almost the full length of the runway,” Mr Stott said.

“It is almost the equivalent of having two runways, with one for just ground activity.”