NSW Deputy Premier Visits Coffs Harbour

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro MP is in Coffs Harbour today. Just after 9am, the Deputy Premier joined State Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser and members from the Coffs Harbour City Council at the Coffs Harbour Regional Airport to mark the completion of the $6.5million upgrades.

The work was made possible through the State Government’s Restart NSW Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.  State Government injected $5.1million from the RTIF grant, with Council adding the remaining $1.4million.

Work included the enlargement of the aircraft parking apron and associated taxiways to accommodate up to five, narrow-body jet aircraft. In addition, more check-in counters, extra airline offices and staff facilities and new airline lounges have been completed in the enlarged Departures area of the terminal building. In the Arrivals section, an extra baggage carousel and additional amenities have been installed.

Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight said, "Over the last five years, Council has invested more than $10m into improving infrastructure and facilities at the airport – including a $7.5m upgrade of the main runway".

Last year, the airport passed the 400,000 passenger mark, an all-time record, with the airport forecast to reach 420,000 by the end of this financial year.

With the upgrades completed, the airport will be able to process over 1,000 passengers per hour during the busiest times.

While in the region, Mr Barilaro is also visiting the new Grafton Correctional Centre site for the official sod turning, before returning to Coffs Harbour at 1pm for a Regional Growth Fund Information session, where he and Andrew Fraser will explain the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, outlining how to apply for funding.