Lismore Airport Master plan designed to lure airlines back to region

A project to “future-proof” Lismore Regional Airport is a bold bid to woo airlines and boost the city’s economy.

A plan to determine the future of Lismore Regional Airport could see airlines return, reconnecting the city with regional centres across the state.

Keith Tonkin, managing director of Aviation Projects – the consultancy firm working with Lismore City Council to deliver the airport master plan – said it’s aimed at attracting carriers back to the region.

“We know that Rex Airlines has stopped flying their scheduled passenger transport services recently, and we want to make sure that the airport is able to accommodate that sort of service in the future,” he said.

“I know the people in council are working pretty hard to try and reactivate those services, connecting their community to regional centres.

Mayor Steve Krieg said council had been working on redesigning Lismore’s airport since before the floods, and now the plan is back on track.

Lismore mayor Steve Kreig, MP Page Kevin Hogan and Lismore council general manager John Walker at Lismore airport for the unveiling of a $300,000 upgrade.

“It’s something that’s a long-term project … that we think that we might be able to fast track and make into something really good for the whole region,” he said.

The master plan – which will guide the aerodrome’s development – will be on show for the community on Tuesday, August 23, at the Lismore Workers Sports Club.

No registration is required, just drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm.

“Anyone that wants to come along and have a bit of input into what the airport master plan for the future direction of our airport looks like (is welcome),” Mr Krieg said.

Mr Tonkin said the master plan would identify and mitigate flood damage risk to the airport and its associated infrastructure, to optimise and “future-proof” this “critical element of the infrastructure that supports the region”.

“There’s some issues that need to be resolved in terms of a flooding situation, but there are real opportunities that can be gained from proper planning and development of the airport,” he said.

“We want to make sure that the airport supports general aviation businesses which employ people, and we want to give people real opportunity to benefit from aviation.”

The Lismore Regional Airport community consultation will be held in Function Room 1 at 202 Oliver Ave, Goonellabah.