The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast committee has endorsed the proposed new runway at Sunshine Coast Airport, saying the project will provide long-term economic benefits for the region.
“A new longer and wider runway will ensure we don’t lose aeroplane access in the future,” RDA Sunshine Coast Chair Prof Max Standage said.
“The current runway, which is only 1800m long and 30m wide, operates under special dispensation from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority which allows large aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 to land here.
“Without this dispensation these aeroplanes would no longer be able to fly into the Sunshine Coast. The new runway would therefore ensure that, as a minimum, we retain existing services,” he said.
“The benefits of a new runway have been well recognised across all major strategic planning documents for some time, due to the economic advantages they will bring.
“Expansion of the existing airport infrastructure and facilities will also provide better services to and from the Sunshine Coast, both for residents as well as visitors to our region.”
Prof Standage said a new airport runway was one of the most significant infrastructure investment opportunities identified in the Sunshine Coast Regional Roadmap following extensive community consultation last year.
“It is important that we support investment in large strategic projects for the Sunshine Coast to meet the region’s growing demands.
“Regional infrastructure and investment opportunities are paramount to the region’s long-term economic success,” he said.
Prof Standage encouraged the community to contribute to the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed new runway at Sunshine Coast Airport.
The public comment period for the project closes on 13 November 2014.
For more details visit the Sunshine Coast Airport site.