Bega Valley Council to vote on proposed upgrades to Merimbula Airport

A south coast airport could soon grow to allow more than 200,000 passengers a year, if major expansions are given the green light by a regional council.

Merimbula Airport's current terminal could be extended and relocated.

A south coast airport could soon expand exponentially and increase passenger numbers by more than 100,000 per year, if plans to increase the runway size and extend the passenger terminal, among other upgrades, are voted through by council.

Bega Valley Council are set to vote on whether they will adopt the Merimbula Airport master plan on Wednesday, with the plan “establishing a framework for the future planning and sustainable development of Merimbula Airport”.

The plan – funded by the Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Development Fund – was first established after the number of passengers visiting Merimbula via the airport dropped, with documents tendered to the plan revealing annual passengers decreased from 36,000 to 24,000 between 2001 and 2002.

While passenger numbers grew to 66,000 per year in 2007 with the introduction of regional airline Rex, they have begun to slow down.

Documents state the Merimbula Airport saw just under 100,000 passengers in 2023.

Merimbula Airport's runway could be extended by 200m.

The plan suggests a multitude of upgrades could increase the amount of passengers visiting the south coast town of 3,800 and, as a result, boost the area’s tourism economy.

Such upgrades listed in the plan include the extension of the runway by up to 200m to allow for larger aircraft to land and the extension of the passenger terminal to facilitate larger numbers of visitors.

An artist impression of the proposed upgrades to Merimbula Airport.

The plan also suggest the relocation of the passenger terminal to the south of the airport, due to having more space for larger expansion.

“The new terminal location would provide sufficient space to accommodate the forecast high growth passengers of 250,000,” the master plan reads.

Master plan documents stated with the runway and terminal expansion, 30-50 seat aircraft, or larger such as the ATR72 or the Q400 would be able to land in the regional town.

Between April 14 and May 7 2023, the Merimbula community were asked by the Bega Valley Council to have their say on the plans.

Bega Valley Council Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick.

Council’s acting Manager of Project and Development, Sam Watson, said community feedback was an important phase in the Merimbula Airport master plan, as it would help mould how the upgrades would go ahead.

“We are using current trends and extrapolating 20 years from now to determine what the site might need to look like in the future,” he said.

During the community submission phase, council asked residents about the airport’s purpose and vision, and what was most important to its users.

“We have since reviewed and compiled the feedback and have incorporated it all into the Merimbula Airport master plan,” Mr Watson said.

During Bega Valley Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, June 12, the nine councillor’s will vote on whether the master plan is adopted.

Bega Valley Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the growth of the Merimbula Airport was important for not just Merimbula, but the whole local government area.

“Council’s position has always been to grow opportunities at Merimbula Airport for appropriate businesses and recreational users,” he said.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to grow the airport’s capacity to provide key aviation services as the shire continues to attract more visitors through the doors of its airport.”

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Originally published as Bega Valley Council to vote on proposed upgrades to Merimbula Airport