Phil Lahey from Lahey Constructions signed the contract on top of Slim’s daughter Anne Kirkpatrick’s guitar case, while Slim’s widow Joy looked on.

“How country is that!” said centre manager Kathryn Yarnold.

Ms Yarnold said the project was now fully funded and would open for business as planned at the end of 2010.

“Maxine McKew, who is the federal parliamentary secretary for regional development, was at the concert to announce the awarding of $6million of federal funding, so we are all set.”

Ms Yarnold said fundraising would continue to ensure the exhibits at the just about aircraft owners, aviation businesses or the flying club.

“The airport is a safety blanket for the people of the Macleay Valley,” he said.

“If we have a fire or another flood it is vital to the town, then there is the emergency medical flights and patient transport that cannot be done by helicopter.

“I’ve been associated with the airport in some way for more than 40 years and I have seen people sign the petition who have never signed anything like this before.”

Bev Gibson from Macleay Aircraft Maintenance is also involved with the petition. She said it was all about protecting an important community asset.

“This is all about giving the community a say in the decisions that the council makes, it has nothing to do with protecting the interests of aircraft owners, the flying club or aviation businesses,” she said.

“The council always says that community consultation is an important part of their decision making, well here is the community’s opinion and it is free of charge.”

Mrs Gibson said losing the airport would be unthinkable.

“The economic impact the airport has on the town is not widely understood, and every little bit helps in Kempsey.

“Once the airport is gone it is gone forever.”

The petition is on display at several businesses in West Kempsey including the Post Office and Palmers Pharmacy in the CBD.

It will soon be available to sign in South West Rocks and Crescent Head as well as more locations in Kempsey itself.