Last call for airport tenders
THE Longreach Shire Council is calling for expressions of interest from companies interested in running the proposed upgraded aerodrome.
Mayor Pat Tanks said the council was looking to complete its proposal to the Sustainable Regions Program and, in order to do that, tenders need to be finalised.
"The council is successfully running the airport in its current form, but under the proposed upgrades it will be a much bigger operation.
"As a shire council we wouldn’t have the resources to professionally run an upgraded airport.
"We want to emphasise that we are not selling the airport; we are hoping to enter into a leasing arrangement."
The council is in the process of putting together a funding application to the Australian Government’s Sustainable Regions Program, which provides regional areas the opportunity to source funds for projects that will contribute to their longer term economic sustainability.
Longreach falls into the Darling Matilda Way, a region that has been allocated up to $21 million until June 30, 2008.
Council’s proposed airport upgrades would see a new terminal, an upgraded runway for the use of larger planes, upgraded hangars and more room made available to the adjacent Qantas Founders Outback Museum for aircraft displays.
"This project is of paramount importance to tourism in the region," Councillor Tanks said.
"This could potentially change the future for Western Queensland and everybody would benefit from the flow-on effects.
"These upgrades could see people fly directly into Longreach, it has the capacity to lift visitor numbers up sharply. This could lead onto a greater investment in the local motel industry, but investment ideas are really limitless.
"Western Queenslanders could also take advantage of the services, which may in turn lead to cheaper airfares."
If the project was to go ahead, funding from all three tiers of government would have to be received, as well as the final nod from the Sustainable Regions Program.
"It is a good sign that the Sustainable Regions had a look at our idea and asked us to put forward our submission.
"I am still not saying that we are guaranteed the money at this stage, but if we can successfully show how this proposal will aid the economy of the West, we are in with a good chance.
"I have a good feeling about this project, it is such a great idea and just the injection that regional Queensland needs."
Cr Tanks added that he expected serious negotiations with Premier Beattie in the next couple of months regarding the funding.
The Longreach Shire Council will put forth their submission to the Sustainable Regions Program within the next few weeks, with an outcome on its success expected by February, 2007.
Mayor Pat Tanks said the council was looking to complete its proposal to the Sustainable Regions Program and, in order to do that, tenders need to be finalised.
"The council is successfully running the airport in its current form, but under the proposed upgrades it will be a much bigger operation.
"As a shire council we wouldn’t have the resources to professionally run an upgraded airport.
"We want to emphasise that we are not selling the airport; we are hoping to enter into a leasing arrangement."
The council is in the process of putting together a funding application to the Australian Government’s Sustainable Regions Program, which provides regional areas the opportunity to source funds for projects that will contribute to their longer term economic sustainability.
Longreach falls into the Darling Matilda Way, a region that has been allocated up to $21 million until June 30, 2008.
Council’s proposed airport upgrades would see a new terminal, an upgraded runway for the use of larger planes, upgraded hangars and more room made available to the adjacent Qantas Founders Outback Museum for aircraft displays.
"This project is of paramount importance to tourism in the region," Councillor Tanks said.
"This could potentially change the future for Western Queensland and everybody would benefit from the flow-on effects.
"These upgrades could see people fly directly into Longreach, it has the capacity to lift visitor numbers up sharply. This could lead onto a greater investment in the local motel industry, but investment ideas are really limitless.
"Western Queenslanders could also take advantage of the services, which may in turn lead to cheaper airfares."
If the project was to go ahead, funding from all three tiers of government would have to be received, as well as the final nod from the Sustainable Regions Program.
"It is a good sign that the Sustainable Regions had a look at our idea and asked us to put forward our submission.
"I am still not saying that we are guaranteed the money at this stage, but if we can successfully show how this proposal will aid the economy of the West, we are in with a good chance.
"I have a good feeling about this project, it is such a great idea and just the injection that regional Queensland needs."
Cr Tanks added that he expected serious negotiations with Premier Beattie in the next couple of months regarding the funding.
The Longreach Shire Council will put forth their submission to the Sustainable Regions Program within the next few weeks, with an outcome on its success expected by February, 2007.
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