Scone Airport Development Independent Review Available

THE Scone Regional Airport Development Independent Review called for by the community and accepted by Council this week, is now available on Council’s website.

The review stated the projected would bring strong economic growth to the local community, but also highlighted risks and recommended more conservative growth scenarios including visitation numbers, ticketing and numbers expected to the airshows.

Construction on the airside will begin next month, with the warbird museum set to begin early next year.

The project is estimated to cost $23.5 million, with $15.75 million contributed from the state and federal governments and $7.75 million from Council.

In June, Council secured an additional $3 million in grant funding and reduced the number of hangers to be built from ten to four.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the new infrastructure developments would deliver multiple benefits for the region over the coming months.

“This is real delivery back into the Upper Hunter, providing jobs during construction, a boost in trade for local suppliers and importantly, new money back into a local economy hit hard by drought and COVID-19,” Mr Joyce said.

During the August Ordinary Meeting, Council also accepted five tenders relating to the project and have said more tender announcements are coming.

The tenders awarded include:

• Kingston Building Pty Ltd for $7,298,214.20 for the design and construction of scone warbirds visitor attraction and terminal building including the theatre and curved roof options;
• Daracon Pty Ltd for airside infrastructure upgrade (figure not quoted);
• Airport Lighting Specialist for the design and supply of the new ground lighting and apron flood lighting for $423,096.30;
• Freeman Ryan Design – design, development and installation of the visitor attractions audio visual $373,175.00;
• Geosim Technology Pty Ltd for the design supply and installation of and the Spitfire and Bristol – spitfire and Bristoll fighter flight simulators for a total of 155,551, and
• K&S Freighters Pty Ltd trading as Aero Refuellers to construct bulk fuel storage and be a seller of avgas and jet A1 fuel at Scone regional airport (figure not quoted).