It is fantastic to see that one of the Macleay Valley’s major assets, the Kempsey Airport, has really come to life over the past 12 months. For several years, Council had a vision that its airport facilities had real potential to build a successful aviation industry that would bring jobs and growth to our Shire.
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With the help of Federal Government funding, the $2.5 million upgrade to airport infrastructure was completed in April last year as part of our operating plan. The improvement works were considered essential if we were to attract aviation businesses that would make it a commercially viable asset for our community. Council staff have been working hard to promote the new Aviation Business Park to recreational and commercial flying operators, as well as associated air support businesses.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Council and Australian International Aviation College (AIAC) last month was a great win for our community. While the flying school has been using temporary facilities at the airport over the past two years, AIAC’s plans to build a permanent $7 million flight training school that will bring an estimated 200 students and 50 staff provides a terrific boost to jobs and flow-on benefits for the Macleay.
Last week we received further good news that the NSW Government would contribute $173,000 towards the replacement of the old manual aviation fuel system with a modern automated fuel system at the site.
An automated system is vital to not only attracting commercial, recreational and air industry support businesses to the site, but Kempsey airport is frequently used by air ambulance and other emergency services that require 24/7 access to refuel.
Kempsey’s Aviation Business Park and the economic boost it offers the Macleay economy shows what can be achieved when we partner with other levels of government and private industry.
Council will continue to look broadly for new ways to encourage viable business enterprises in the Macleay.