GILLESPIE CALLS FOR INVESTMENT IN NEWCASTLE AIRPORT UPGRADE

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has told Federal Parliament, government investment is now required to assist with the Newcastle Airport upgrade after its recent inclusion in Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List document.

“The inclusion of the Newcastle Airport capacity expansion project in Infrastructure Australia’s “Priority Initiatives” is a significant boost for the airport operators in their bid to secure funding for the project,” Dr Gillespie said.

“I have been working with the operators of Newcastle Airport for some time and have raised the importance of this project with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers in our government.”

“It’s a project that will not only benefit the Hunter region, but also northern New South Wales and the broader national economy.”

“Upgrading Newcastle Airport would improve air freight movements and provide trade opportunities for primary producers in the Hunter, New England and the Mid North Coast that would have otherwise go via Sydney Airport,” Dr Gillespie said.

As the report highlights, the runway at Newcastle Airport serves passenger and freight aircrafts as well as the Royal Australian Air Forces’ military operations, including the new F35A Fighter Jets.

Dr Gillespie told Parliament enabling “Code E” aircraft to use the airport would expand the flight range from Oceania to the Middle East and the Americas, opening International travel direct from the Hunter.

According to Infrastructure Australia’s report, more than 1.27Million passengers used the airport in 2019 and Newcastle airport forecasts this to grow to 2.6 Million by 2036.