FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK, BY CR JAMIE CHAFFEY:

As we upgrade our Gunnedah Airport tarmac to meet the federal standards, it allows us the exciting opportunity to look at commercial passenger services in and out of Gunnedah.

It’s an expensive but necessary business upgrading a tarmac, and council has awarded a tender for the work thanks to funding from both the state and federal governments – in addition to funding from Gunnedah Shire Council.

As well as ensuring the airport can be open for business for many years to come, the upgraded tarmac will be at a standard that will allow commercial services to operate.

Council is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about bringing a commercial service to Gunnedah.

Council has also launched the Gunnedah Air Travel Survey to show the demand for an air service.

We are looking for not only as many Gunnedah Shire residents and businesses as possible, but their friends, relatives and colleagues to fill in the Gunnedah Air Travel Survey. We need this survey to be a representation of the interest in commercial flights.

It is nearly 20 years since Gunnedah had a commercial passenger service. Our shire has grown significantly in that time. Despite the challenges of economic downturns and a pandemic, our community has remained resilient and is heading towards a promising future.

We have had record investment in capital works over the past five years and are looking forward to some great things in the next year or two – a new Gunnedah hospital, a koala sanctuary and redeveloped saleyards.

There are also very positive moves around an intermodal freight terminal for Gunnedah. In light of recent progress towards a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle, a
intermodal freight terminal could mean big things for the Gunnedah economy.

It is critical we get solid, fast and reliable transport connections to major centres, whether it be via rail, road or air. People travel for a vast range of reasons – for business, for leisure, for medical reasons, to see family and friends.

Let us know of your interest in bringing back commercial flights to and from Gunnedah.

Hardcopies of the survey are available at council offices including the administration centre in Elgin Street, the library and the Civic. You can also fill in the survey online at https://rb.gy/hzgn53

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