Latrobe Regional Airport in Victoria will commence redevelopment works after receiving a federal grant, but the Victorian government is unhappy that another project at Warrnambool Regional Airport has missed out federal money.
The federal government will put $3 million towards infrastructure works at Latrobe Regional Airport in Morwell from its Regional Development Australia Fund, with the Victorian government and Latrobe City Council also contributing to the $6.5 million project.
The funding will allow for provision of utilities to five hectares of land adjacent to the GippsAero production facility, as well as upgrades to runway lighting, fitting a PAPI system and the expansion of the airport’s apron.
While welcoming the funds for the Latrobe upgrade, Victoria’s Aviation Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips said he was disappointed that an application for a $2 million grant to help fund the redevelopment of Warnnambool Regional Airport into an airpark was rejected. This is despite the Victorian government already allocating $2 million to the project from its Regional Aviation Fund.
“The future of this project hinges on the Gillard Government’s support. The Coalition Government has made its contribution and the Commonwealth must now come to the table,” he said.
