17 March, 2023

As the Gunnedah Airport tarmac is upgraded to ensure it meets federal standards, it opens up the exciting possibility of passenger flights directly to and from Gunnedah.

The tarmac at Gunnedah Airport was reaching the end of its lifespan and required replacement, which will also make it suitable for commercial flights.

Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Shire had changed and grown significantly in the nearly 20 years since commercial passenger flights operated from Gunnedah.

“Gunnedah Shire is a growing and thriving region,” Cr Chaffey said. “We’ve seen many exciting changes in the past five years alone and we are looking forward to the opening of the redeveloped saleyards, the new hospital and the new koala sanctuary.

“We are looking forward to continuing to grow, and are looking to address the transport needs of the future.

“To assist us in showing the demand for this service, we are asking the Gunnedah community and businesses – and their visitors, family and colleagues – to fill in the Gunnedah Air Travel Survey. The survey will show the interest there is in direct flights from our region.

“This is a truly exciting opportunity to form direct transport connections and we need to show the demand is there.

“We need as many people as possible to fill in this survey.”

Funding for the $8.35 million project has come from the State and Federal governments alongside Gunnedah Shire Council.

The project has been on Gunnedah Shire’s priority list since 2017 and was included in Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council awarded the tender for the upgrade to Airport Consulting Group in November last year.

The Gunnedah Air Travel Survey will close on Friday, March 31. It is available in hard copy at Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street, Gunnedah Shire Library, the Civic, and various other locations around the Shire.

To fill in the survey online, visit https://rb.gy/hzgn53

Caption: Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.