Sunshine Coast Airport upgrade
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Last week's announcement by the Coordinator-General declaring the proposed $419 million upgrade to the Sunshine Coast Airport as a "significant project" is great news for the Sunshine Coast.
While this does not constitute project approval, this is certainly a step in the right direction to enable our airport to accommodate larger aircraft which will provide additional passenger capacity and the potential to expand our international tourism market. A new east-west runway will also improve reliability.
The airport is a key regional transport hub and the construction of a new east-west runway and terminal is essential to the long-term growth and development of the Sunshine Coast economy.
Council's plan to expand the airport will require significant Council, State and Federal government funding.
It is estimated that the project will generate 5,385 new jobs and will help to grow the tourism sector as well as expanding the aviation business precinct which is important in diversifying the economic base of the Sunshine Coast region.