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Qld Government hands over Sunshine Coast Airport to local council to boost regional growth
THE Queensland Government has presented legislation enabling the handover of Sunshine Coast Airport, which is built on State Government land, to Sunshine Coast Council.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney this week unveiled the Queensland Government Airport Directions Statement, which outlines the future for airports throughout the state, and which will enable Sunshine Coast Airport to more easily attract investment.
The airport has been developing as a hub of aviation excellence, already established as a base for training pilots for carriers such as Singapore Airlines -- and it has been attracting significant new holiday season air services, including from New Zealand.
Currently Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Tigerair and Air New Zealand have scheduled services to the Sunshine Coast.
Also prominent at the airport is the Aeromil organisation, which is known for its versatile pilot training services, aircraft leasing, servicing, components and as the national representative for Cessna.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the State Government's news, saying it was a launchpad for significant new development at the airport and a planned new runway.
“This announcement acts as an enabler for council to seek financial investment capital to fund the construction of the new runway, and backs up what is already designated a State Significant Project,” Cr Jamieson said.
“It represents a major contribution to our efforts to have the new runway operating at Sunshine Coast Airport by 2020, simplifying the land tenure arrangements at the Airport.”
Sunshine Coast Council will now also be able to execute leases to tenants, he said, which will encourage further jobs growth in the important high-quality aviation sector.
“Aviation and aerospace is one of the seven high-value industries council has identified in the Economic Development Strategy 2013-2033,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“I would like to thank the State Government for taking this step to assist Sunshine Coast Airport’s future development.”
Cr Jamieson said the benefits flowing from the new runway included additional passenger capacity; access to growing markets and new domestic and international destinations; increased freight capacity; stimulus to the Sunshine Coast’s tourist and commercial base; diversification of the Sunshine Coast’s economic and jobs base; provision of around 5,000 new jobs; injection of around $1.6 billion in regional economic benefit between 2015 and 2050; and improved safety and capacity of the airport to operate in varying weather conditions.
www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au
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