Busselton Margaret River Airport Proposal Given the Greenlight

Published on 08 January 2019

The City has received advice from the Office of the Appeals Convenor that the Minister for Environment has handed down his determination of the Busselton Margaret River Airport expansion. 

Commencing preparation back in 2015 that supports the City’s vision to deliver quality air transport for the benefit of the residents of the City of Busselton and the South West Region, the proposal comprised the introduction of additional aircraft types and operator types, as well as changes to the standard hours of operation, which included introducing five night-time flights per week.

The City now has approval to operate Regular Public Transport (RPT) / Charter services from 6.00am to 12 midnight.  This is one hour more than the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) recommended, however, two hours more than the City’s current arrangements and five flights per week between 12 midnight and 6.00am.  This was consistent with the City’s appeal.

Mayor Grant Henley advised this was very good news.  “The determination is crucial for the City to attract RPT services to and from the east coast.  Feedback from airlines indicated that initially, services may need to operate during the newly approved hours”.

This positive outcome now sees an extra hour per day flying time for RPT services, two hours per day for Charter services, five flights per week between 12 midnight and 6.00am and coincides with newly published flight paths.  Aircraft operators will, however, still need to comply with the Noise Management Plan.

The Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport Development Project is made possible by investment from the Australian Government; State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, Department of Transport’s Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) program, City of Busselton, South West Development Commission and Tourism Western Australia.

Outcomes and objectives outlined in this statement align with Key Goal Area 4 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2017): An economy that is diverse, resilient and prosperous. 

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