|
|
|
| |
| Thursday 22 October 2009
After a great deal of market research and planning, Greater Taree City Council last night resolved to call for expressions of interest from the aviation community to take part in a planned aviation business park at the Taree Regional Airport.
The vision is to be a centre of excellence for aviation businesses and to create a revenue stream for the Airport to become sustainable and operate more like a business.
According to the Council’s Economic Development Manager, Chris Ryan, the proposal has been in place for nearly two years with concept plans developed, market research conducted and costings prepared, however, the project had not proceeded due largely to the uncertainty of the condition of the main runway which has deteriorated over its fifty six year life. “Now that Council has resolved to rehabilitate the runway, and tenders are well underway, this uncertainty is no longer an issue”, Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan added that another constraint has been market failure as the cost of the carrying out the first stage of infrastructure development has made the project cost prohibitive. “This is a real shame as there has been a great deal of demand and we have visited over a hundred businesses at airports around New South Wales – many of which are showing keen interest in our project. It’s a shame to think that we could create some serious jobs on this site but can’t do it because we can’t afford to carry out the first stage.”
A number of attempts to obtain government funding at both Federal and State levels on the basis of job creation have failed. Mr Ryan said that one of the reasons given was there was no demonstration of ‘actual’ business commitment and support.
“By calling for expressions of interest, Council can actually ask proponents to pay a small deposit that will demonstrate solid demand. By going out to expressions of interest, Council can be better informed when the matter comes back for further decision and ensure the project’s viability before any funds are committed.”
It is hoped that the response will be positive and that the information will support a pending funding application with the State Government for a one million dollar interest free loan.
Whilst no final decision will be made until after the expressions of interest process, Council is seeking interest from parties to both lease or purchase sites. This includes existing tenants currently leasing sites at the airport.
Expressions of interest close on Friday, 20 November 2009 and from there, a full assessment will be undertaken. A full report advising of the outcome of the expressions of interest process will be presented to Council in early 2010.
More information can be found at www.tareeregionalairport.com.au or by contacting Chris Ryan on 0429 300 228.
For further information contact:
Chris Ryan
Economic Development Manager
Greater Taree City Council
0429 300 228
| |
| |
|
|