General News
11 March, 2025
Funding boost for aerodrome
A host of projects are about to take flight at the Maryborough Aerodrome with Central Goldfields Shire Council receiving over $200,000 in funding.
Under round four of the Victorian Government’s Regional Airports Program, $210,000 will go towards the council operated facility to support access for emergency services and general aviation use.
Central Goldfields Shire general manager infrastructure, assets and planning Amber Ricks said improving the facilities will leverage greater economic impact from the important community asset.
“Commercial development of the aerodrome was identified as a priority in council’s recent economic development strategy,” she said.
Ms Ricks said the Maryborough Aerodrome facilitates many uses for the community.
“It caters to teaching aspiring pilots, recreational pilots, emergency service vehicles and aerial crop dusting operators,” she said.
Infrastructural upgrades will include pilot activated lighting and automated aerodrome radio alert systems, refurbishment of the helipad tower, new concreting for a refuelling facility, new surface seals for the runway and aircraft taxi-ways, and resealing the aircraft tied-down area and parking allocation.
These improvements are in addition to recent upgrades to the aerodrome mains water supply and firefighting capability as part of a development plan to lease more land and improve revenue to support the aerodrome.
These upgrades were identified in the Aerodrome Business Case which was developed by council in partnership with the Aerodrome Taskforce in 2023.
Council is supported by an Aerodrome Advisory committee to deliver the recommendations in the business case and determine the future management, development, and maintenance of the Aerodrome.
The Regional Airports Program is a competitive grants program by the federal government to improve the connectivity of Australia’s regions to domestic and global market opportunities, and ensure they meet the operational requirements for aeromedical and other emergency services in the region.
The government has invested almost $4.5 million to upgrade nine regional airports across Victoria in this round of funding.