The Federal Government is investing $6.685 million to upgrade the Dubbo City regional airport and its aeromedical facilities in New South Wales.
The funding is a part of round three of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).
New South Wales Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, said the funding will provide significant economic benefits to Dubbo and Western NSW and will also improve health outcomes and patient care throughout the region.
“I aim to help build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and quality regional airports can be a big part of that,” Minister Nash said.
“This upgrade also makes life much easier for the Royal Flying Doctors Service — a healthy RFDS in western NSW is something I think we can all support.
“When the Government invests in the Dubbo region, it gives business and the community confidence to invest in the Dubbo region.”
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said this project will consolidate Dubbo City Regional Airport’s position as a key regional air provider for the Western and Orana Regions.
“Dubbo provides services for residents throughout the very large area of Western NSW,” Mr Coulton said.
“The future plan is to look at increasing the frequency of existing flights with possibly servicing Canberra and destinations even further afield, bringing tourists and jobs to the region.”
Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Troy Grant, said the upgrade will work together with the NSW Government’s recent upgrades to regional hospitals in Dubbo, Parkes, and Forbes, and multi-purpose service in Peak Hill.
“Improving the aeromedical facilities at the airport is a vital link that connects people in regional NSW with the world-class health care they need and deserve,” Mr Grant said.
Dubbo Regional Council administrator, Michael Kneipp, said the upgrade of Dubbo Airport and Aeromedical Facilities Project is responding to an urgent need to increase capacity and services at the Dubbo City Regional Airport.
“It will provide improved healthcare for remote patients as well as ensure the Airport’s ongoing sustainability as a major transport provider in the Dubbo, Orana and Western Regions,” Mr Kneipp said.
“The Project will foster existing and facilitate new partnerships and will also drive investment and economic growth in the region.
“The Airport upgrade and Aeromedical Facility project has been jointly funded by Dubbo Regional council, Restart NSW Regional Tourism Infrastructure Airports and now with the contribution from Coalition Government and is a direct result of all tiers of Government working together to improve the coordination of essential service delivery and infrastructure investment.”
