Sunny days if airport expansion goes ahead
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
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