Mareeba Airport upgrades now complete
Mareeba Mayor Tom Gilmore has described the opening of a multi-million dollar airport upgrade - which will bring jobs, training and economic benefits to FNQ - as “one of the most important things” he has seen during his career.
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TODAY marks a major win for the aviation industry in Far North with the completion of the $23 million Mareeba Airport upgrade.
The upgrades will provide more aviation jobs, training opportunities and a wide range of economic benefits delivered to the Far North.
The Mareeba Airport Upgrade Project was officially opened by Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Tom Gilmore, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui and LNP Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald with the support of Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch and LNP Senator James McGrath.
For Cr Gilmore, the completion of the airport upgrades has been a long time coming and a highlight of his career after advocating for the project for more than a decade.
Cr Gilmore stood up at the opening to emotionally give a speech about the hard work and dedication that it took to get funding and get the project off the ground.
“From my perspective this is one of the most important things I have seen happen in my time of local government,” Cr Gilmore said.
“This is a significant moment for Mareeba. This airport has been here for about 70 years.
“It is a World War II relic and it has been brought back to life with this upgrade.
“It will provide all of the necessary infrastructure for the development for general aviation.”
Cr Gilmore, who has announced he will retire before the March 2020 council elections, tearfully thanked all of those that were involved in the planning, execution and development of the project.
NQ Warbirds director Mike Spaulding donated his hanger for the day for the opening and was excited about what the future held for the aviation industry in the region.
He said the upgrades were a step in the right direction for the continued growth of the aviation industry.
“We have a longer runway now and a parallel taxiway,” Mr Spaulding said.
He said he has had a hanger in Mareeba for more than 20 years and he had witnessed the airport get gradually busier.
“When we first started here there wasn’t much going on at all but over the years it has gradually increased with groups such as the North Queensland Aero Club who do training here,” he said.
“There is a lot of aircraft movement so the parallel taxiway is essential.”
Mr Spaulding said without the parallel taxiway pilots would have to wait until other planes landed.
“The runway is longer and stronger than it has ever been. It is set up now for mining fly in fly out operations if that is needed in the future,” he said.
“It is also set up now with a subdivision of blocks where people can build their own hangers like we have.”
He said anyone going to the airport who wanted to start their own business was in the perfect position to do so.
“It is a great day today and we have great respect for Tom Gilmore because he has been pushing for the upgrade for the entire time he has been mayor and he has done it,” Mr Spaulding said.
Originally published as Mareeba Airport upgrades now complete
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