Sunday, September 11, 2011

Maroochydore airport expansion

$10m precinct plan for airport

Tags aerospace precint, jobs, regional aviation association of australia, sunshine coast airport

SUNSHINE Coast Airport will soon have a $10 million aerospace precinct that will create up to 150 specialist jobs.

An artist’s impression of the new aerospace precinct at Sunshine Coast Airport.

SUNSHINE Coast Airport will soon have a $10million aerospace precinct that will create up to 150 specialist jobs.

This exclusive announcement follows the start of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia conference last night.

Those firms willing to set up shop on the Coast will fund the construction of hangars customised to their needs.

Discussions with interested companies has already begun but so far remain confidential.

Before the dotted lines are signed, Sunshine Coast Council will spend $10million on drainage, sewerage, telecommunications and road access.

Construction is expected to begin by late next year, once investors are secured.

Airport general manager Peter Pallot said the project would boost the airport's reputation.

"It will introduce new aviation services such as fixed-base operators, maintenance repair operators that could lead to jet aircrafts being overnighted,'' Mr Pallot said.

"In addition, the Sunshine Coast Aviation Precinct will allow for larger development sites for aviation businesses."

The sites will add up to 52,100sq m, with half of that to have easy access to the runway for jet maintenance or repair.

These will be large enough to handle B737 or A320 aircrafts.

Aeromil Pacific chairman Steve Padgett said the precinct was a chance to promote the airport and the Coast's aviation industry.

"These could be maintenance, support or operational aviation businesses," he said.

"It's not unusual to have these at an airport, but for a regional airport it's a new approach and one I think we should do pretty well."

Mr Padgett already has four hangars at the airport, and Aeromil Pacific supports the Singapore Flying College with its infrastructure.

He said the new area had a "limitless" potential.

"There is no need to be on a capital city airport to be successful, as we have proven," Mr Padgett said.

"As long as you have the land and it's cost effective.

"The Sunshine Coast Airport is newish and far more attractive."

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