$100m Busselton airport upgrade imminent
Gary Adshead State Political Editor, The West Australian November 24, 2012, 6:57 am
City of Busselton mayor Ian Stubbs believes a State Government commitment to spend up to $100 million expanding the tourism region's airport is imminent.
Amid rumours that Premier Colin Barnett was planning to announce the major development within days, Cr Stubbs said most of the ground work for the expansion was done.
"I've heard whispers that there will be an announcement soon," Cr Stubbs said. "Just recently - and they haven't been released yet - we've done the route destinations and a social and economic development strategy."
If the Barnett Government agrees to fund the expansion, Busselton would pursue direct flights from interstate and overseas, including Singapore and Indonesia.
The runway length would be extended from its existing 1800m to at least 2300m to accommodate bigger planes.
For more than two years the city has been working with the South West Development Commission, Tourism WA and the Department of Transport to make a business case for the proposal.
"This development would be marvellous for the South West and the State," Cr Stubbs said. "I understand that the Department of Transport is very supportive of it.
"The $80 to $100 million would include the purchase of the land, extensions to the runway and the improvements to the terminal."
Last year, Mr Barnett gave in-principle support to the expansion saying the current airport was built under a previous Liberal-National government.
"Maybe the time has finally come where you can attract direct interstate flights into the region," he said.
But a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Troy Buswell, who is also the MP for the region, said no decision on the expansion had been reached by the Government.
The Weekend West understands one sticking point might be the name of the new airport and how the drawcard of Margaret River would be included.
"I think the name Margaret River should be reflected in the airport name," Cr Stubbs said.
"But the City of Busselton, with all the work we've done over the years, isn't just going to have it called the Margaret River Regional Airport. Perhaps something like the Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport."
The NIMBYs won't be happy.