The official opening of the Orange Regional Airport has been welcomed as a sign of a growing regional economy.
The $21.07 million Airport Expansion project was officially opened today.
The wider project includes lengthening the runway by an extra 438 metres and expanding taxiways as well as new access roads, runway lighting. While the $3 million terminal has been use since November 2014, the final stages of the project were completed earlier this year as part of the current project.
Deputy Mayor of Orange Chris Gryllis said that the project’s longer runway, upgraded taxiways and a larger aircraft parking area increase the efficiency of larger aircraft using the airport.
“In the last couple of weeks a Boeing 717 has flown into Orange for the first time carrying mining industry workers.
“The new longer runway means a plane like this can now take off with a full load of fuel and make the flight to the Northern Territory without a stop.
“Infrastructure like this, links us with Australia’s mining industry, as well as delivering benefits for tourists and residents alike.”
Tony McPaul, General Manager of Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations welcomed today’s opening.
“The Airport expansion is a joint Federal Government, State Government, local Government and Newcrest initiative. At the time that Newcrest made the commitment, it was flying workers from the east coast to its mine in WA. The cyclical nature of the mining industry means these flights have now ceased, however Newcrest remains committed to supporting the development of infrastructure in this region.”
“Business investment provides a foundation for healthy and resilient regional communities and projects such as this open up new possibilities, as we have already seen, for a wide variety of businesses in central west NSW.”
Funding for the airport expansion project was shared between: Australian government $4.9 million, NSW Government $1.3 million, Newcrest Mining $3 million and Orange City Council $11.87 million.
