Mayor’s Message - Moruya Airport redevelopment

Have you been out to Moruya Airport lately? Council’s plans to redevelop the airport precinct to create job opportunities are underway and there’s a buzz of activity. The airport terminal has been upgraded and now includes a fantastic cafe open during peak departure and arrival times, from 6.15am to 10.15am Monday to Saturday. Passengers aren’t the only people loving the good coffee; cyclists riding the Bengello track and campers at North Head are also taking advantage. REX’s reduced fares and the extra direct-flight seats available on the Moruya-Sydney route are seeing more and more people using this service for business and pleasure.

The big part of the redevelopment is the three hectares of land at the south-east end of the airport currently being sub-divided to make four lots suitable for private commercial lease. To support this, Council is installing water and sewer, storm water, three-phase power and telecommunications connections, and a connecting taxiway and roadworks. You can see the construction activity as you drive by on George Bass Drive. When this is all finished next year, 11 more lots will be available to lease. We’re keen to talk to businesses affiliated with the aviation industry about this new commercial land. The redevelopment has been made possible thanks to funding from the NSW and Australian Governments of $7.1 million. Both our local MPs Ann Sudmalis and Andrew Constance have been regular visitors to the airport precinct to check on progress.

While the 2020 planned completion date for the oyster hatchery at the airport sounds a long way off, preliminary work has kicked off. The state-of-the-art hatchery will be built by Council and leased to a commercial operator. It has potential to generate 33 jobs and more than $11 million in regional income. Incorporating a shellfish hatchery and aquaculture training and research facilities, it’s all thanks to the business case we developed with local oyster farmers and championed by Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis, who announced $2.3 million in funding earlier this year for the project.

The airport precinct redevelopment is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when governments and the community work together.