Orange airport soars with funding boost

Orange City Council has secured $1.5 million to accommodate future growth in visitor numbers at the Orange Regional Airport.

The funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund will be used to spray a fine micro-seal across the runway surface making it more user-friendly for large jet planes, preventing small stone chips from potentially damaging jet engines.

That means a boost for the visitor economy through more chartered flights to inject funds into the Orange economy.

Orange Mayor John Davis said the council was grateful to the state government for the funding, which will boost the thriving Orange tourism industry.

“We’re very positive about the future for the Orange Regional Airport,” he said.

“It’s quite regular that we get chartered jets landing here and now we can increase that type of tourism, for example there’s been many enquiries from people who want to have conferences here, in the central west.

“Orange can be that centre for people to fly into.”

Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the funding will ensure the airport runway was in top condition for years to come.

“I am pleased to see the continued investment being made across the regions by the NSW Government to secure new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.”

Cr Davis said the upgrade to the runway complimented an earlier upgrade which lengthened the main runway and as such, council was well practiced in completing works to the airport with minimal disruption to flights.

“This about putting infrastructure in place for the airport’s long-term future and getting ready for the next upswing in the mining industry when the airport will once again be used regularly by jets.” Mayor John Davis said.

GRANT: Member for Orange Andrew Gee, Orange Mayor John Davis and Deputy Mayor Chris Gryllis at the Orange Regional Airport for a funding announcement.