Gunnedah Shire Council receives $2m from federal government for aerodrome upgrades

The funding will be used as part of the $3.8 million project to reconstruct the tarmac, taxiway and the area where aircraft, park, unload and refuel.

Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Jamie Chaffey said the upgrades would be pivotal in helping the shire achieve their community strategic plan.

"Air, road and rail infrastructure are critical to the future of economic development in Gunnedah shire," Cr Chaffey said.

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"In the Gunnedah Shire Council Community Strategic Plan, adopted in 2017, one of our identified priorities was to upgrade our airport, and to seek the significant funding needed to upgrade the tarmac to allow commercial flights to operate in and out of Gunnedah.

"This is the last piece of the puzzle in interconnectivity for Gunnedah. This is what was needed to continue our work to help keep our economy soaring."

Parkes MP Mark Coulton said the funding would be influential in creating local employment and attracting families to the shire.

"The construction will also create employment for local contractors, which is especially important as we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Coulton said.

"Having a safe and functional airport not only helps to keep goods and services flowing and better supports aeromedical and other emergency services, but it will make Gunnedah more attractive for families and businesses looking to move or invest in the region."

With the Gunnedah community faced with the potential closure of the airport for some time, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the funding would set set smiles soaring sky high.

"The main runway needs a lot of work to bring it up to standard and I know that the Gunnedah Aero Club will be thrilled to see this work," Mr Anderson said.

The federal government has also provided a further $255,000 to grade the runway and taxiway, upgrade lighting and line marking and the installation of illuminated wind indicators at both ends of the runway.

A further $198,000 will be used for additional lighting, line marking and CCTV.

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