Mayor welcomes Foreign Minister to Eurobodalla

Eurobodalla Mayor Lindsay Brown welcomed Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s visit to Moruya Airport today.

Minister Bishop toured the airport precinct with the Mayor, Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis and Member for Eden Monaro Peter Hendy, along with Council’s General Manager Dr Catherine Dale and business development staff.

The Minister spoke about small business opportunities and enjoyed meeting locals and visitors who were training for a sky dive with local business, Skydive Oz.

Clr Brown said Ms Bishop was briefed about Council’s plans for the airport and the seven million dollars of funding submissions currently being considered by both Australian and NSW Governments.

“The Foreign Minister asked astute questions about the potential of the airport and we were able to tell her about the strong community, business and political support for Council’s plans to expand the airport.

“I hope Ms Bishop will return to Canberra and share her insights and confidence in the airport’s economic potential with her colleagues. I was delighted when she stopped one of our business owners who said ‘if development goes ahead’ with a ‘not if, but when’.”

Council has applied for $2.54 million from the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund to expand the commercial space available at the airport, and last month submitted final details of its NSW Government Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund application for $4.6 million. If successful, the National Stronger Regions Fund grant will be matched by Council to build commercial space at the airport and create jobs. Council estimates more than 70 jobs will be created if the applications are successful.

Clr Brown said he is most grateful for the solid support of Federal members Ms Sudmalis and Dr Hendy, as well as State Member for Bega Andrew Constance, who has added his backing to Council’s funding applications.

Outcomes of both funding applications are expected before the end of July.