Council to develop residential airpark

ABOUT 160 new houses, some with private aircraft hangars, are set to be developed in the new airpark at the Maryborough Airport in a joint venture deal.

BIG PLANS: Fraser Coast Residential Airpark Pty Ltd director Brad Tallis (right) with Mayor Gerard O’Connell and plans for the proposed development. Picture: Alistair Brightman

ABOUT 160 new houses, some with private aircraft hangars, are set to be developed in the new airpark at the Maryborough Airport in a joint venture deal.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has signed a joint venture agreement with local businesses to develop the residential airpark which is expected to start mid 2016.

While the council owns the land at the airport, it will be developed by the Fraser Coast Residential Airpark Pty Ltd.

According to the Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell, people living in the airpark would be able to either keep their planes on their property or park them in shared spaces and would have easy access to a runway. He said aviation would become a bigger player in the Fraser Coast economy.

"This project will attract people to the region who want to own a home with access to hangar space and a runway," Cr O'Connell said.

"The boost in aircraft numbers will help our existing aviation industries and attract new industries, especially in maintenance."

The 160 lots will be developed in at least five stages and is expected to start mid 2016. Each stage of the development will include a combination of blocks suitable for a house and aircraft hangar plus residential lots with access to the common hangar space.

Fraser Coast Residential Airpark Pty Ltd director Brad Tallis said airparks had done wonders for towns in other places.

"There's a similar example in the town of Temora in New South Wales where they put in an airpark, it brought more people into town and it saved the township," Mr Tallis said.

"I believe it's going to do the same here."