NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall MP, was in town on Friday to inspect Council’s plans for the next stage of upgrades to the Parkes Airport.
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The State, Federal and local governments have combined to fund more than $5 million in terminal, runway, parking apron and business park improvements.
Mr Marshall said it was wonderful to be in Parkes.
“I’m here primarily to talk to council and have a look at the plans they’ve just submitted as part of the funding agreement from the state government’s $1.03 million,” he said.
“There is also $1.56 million in funding from the federal government with council tipping in the balance of just over half a million dollars for the apron upgrade and to start the business park area.”
The funding was announced by the state government late last year and work is planned to get underway in September.
“The upgrades will not only provide a huge boost economically for the community but also provide for future growth here at the airport,” Mr Marshall said.
“A lot of avionics, air freight and those sort of businesses have been forced to move out of Bankstown Airport and they are looking for other locations to move into where there’s plenty of land right near an airport that already has all the facilities to fly in and fly out of.
“Parkes is positioning itself very smartly to capitalise on what is a growing industry already and to capitalise on some of those businesses who will be very soon looking for new homes.
“That is without even mentioning the opportunity for local businesses to expand their operations as well.”
Mr Marshall believes people are being more open minded about moving their business out of the city and into regional areas.
“Everywhere I go in Sydney with my various portfolios I talk up country NSW,” he said.
“You can talk it up as much as you want, but unless you have the facilities and the capacities to match the rhetoric and the promotion, then you are wasting your time.
“The good thing about Parkes is you not only talk the talk, you are walking the walk here. You are building world class facilities that a business could literally relocate to, or establish here, without any difficulty.
“If you are going to thrive and survive as a regional community, you have to sort out your transport links and airports are absolutely essential now.”
Mr Marshall said this is the first time he has been to the airport since the terminal extension.
“It looks terrific,” he said.
“It’s very impressive when you first fly in, it gives you a great first impression of Parkes.
“I’ve always loved Parkes. It’s one of those vibrant communities, it’s got a spark to it, it’s growing, it’s positive, you’ve got your ducks lined up, you know what you are, what you’re about and where you’re going.”
