The NSW Government has nearly doubled the investment allocated to regional airport upgrades in recognition of the significant tourism and services they provide, Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro and Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams announced.
Mr Barilaro said the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) will deliver up to $100 million for 25 shortlisted projects to help grow regional economies in NSW.
“The RTIF projects progressing to the next stage have the greatest potential to make an immediate economic impact and stimulate growth across NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Shortlisted regional airports include Broken Hill in far western NSW, Lismore and Moree in northern NSW as well as Wagga Wagga and Griffith in southern NSW.
“We have allocated up to $95 million for regional airports and $5 million to pilot a rail trail project that has the potential to link vineyards, a museum and other small businesses.
“Expanding the funding arrangements for regional airport infrastructure is a long-term investment to improve services for residents and has the greatest capacity to increase visitor numbers to regional NSW.
“The Tumbarumba to Rosewood rail trail proposal was the strongest application for funding, demonstrating effective community consultation, a viable operating model and the ability to generate immediate economic benefits,” Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Infrastructure Andrew Constance said: “The RTIF is designed to meet future capacity by focusing on essential infrastructure projects including airports, rail trails and cruise terminals, to collectively create more jobs and grow tourism in regional NSW.”
The 24 shortlisted regional airport projects as well as a scenic 21-kilometre stretch of unused rail corridor in southern NSW will be invited to submit detailed applications by 31 August 2015.
More information is available here.
