Sunny days if airport expansion goes ahead

Sunny days if airport expansion goes ahead
By admin


Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SDCL) is urging businesses to get on board with its plans to build a new airstrip to attract more tourism opportunities to the region.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has proposed to build a new 2450 metres long runway – 650 metres longer than the current airstrip – to continue to service existing markets as well as developing new tourism opportunities.

SCDL ceo, Simon Ambrose, said “the whole region will benefit” should the proposal be given the green light.

“Tourism will be a key future driver of the region’s economic and employment growth,” Ambrose said.

“Expansion of the airport’s capacity and facilities will have the potential to grow tourism significantly and, along with that, create more than 2200 jobs for the region.

“We have already seen the positive impact of being able to attract international services from Auckland, as well as direct domestic flights from major markets such as Sydney and Melbourne, but the potential is even greater if we were able to build a longer runway.

“With prudent investment in infrastructure, there is no reason why we can’t grow direct inbound arrivals from the current figure of 900,000 annually to two million annually by 2030.

“Direct access is a vital competitive for our tourism sector, particularly for high-yielding conference groups and our events sector. However, airlines will increasingly be attracted by the prospect of being able to fly in larger, more cost-effective aircraft, and the longer runway will provide that capability.

“In the past year we have made impressive progress with our tourism industry, and while the market is highly competitive, if we can match our attractions with the appropriate infrastructure, then we have the prospect of continuing that healthy growth trajectory for the longer-term.”

Environmental aspects of the development has been reviewed with findings reveal the council had adequately addressed matters for the project.

The public have the opportunity to comment on the environmental impact statement, with submissions able to be made up till Thursday 13 November.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]