Cessnock City Council has announced an $8.8 million upgrade to Cessnock Airport will take off in early 2022, after the tender for the project was awarded at its Wednesday meeting.
In March 2019, Council was successful in receiving a $6,636,100 grant for the project under the Restart NSW Growing Local Economies Fund. Council is contributing $2,212,097 towards the $8.8million project and all works must be completed by 30 June 2022, in line with the funding deed between Council and Restart NSW.
The purpose of the project is to undertake significant infrastructure upgrades to Cessnock Airport, which are sure to unlock business investment growth, Council said in a statement.
The airport upgrade project includes the widening and resealing of taxiways; provision of aprons and aircraft parking areas, improved fuel area access, runway rehabilitation, water and sewer connections, installation of non-precision GPS approaches for RWY 17/35 and an upgrade to the eastern terminal.
Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent said he was excited to see this project kick off as it has the potential to create nearly 60 jobs and will be a welcome boost for the economy.
“Our tourism industry has been hit hard in recent times and this project will transform Cessnock Airport into one of the State’s top airports for general aviation and improve the visitor experience.”
“Some people may not know that the airport was gifted to the people of Cessnock in the 1990’s and comes with a wealth of history, from use in the 2nd World War, to having NASA undertake research at this facility. We can now transform this facility and future proof it for our community,” said Mayor Pynsent.
For more information on this project, visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Airportupgrade.
