Cobar Shire Council’s Airport Master Plan is currently on public exhibition with council inviting written comments and feedback.
This is the second Master Plan for the airport prepared by JJ Ryan Consulting P/L for council and provides a comprehensive review and update of their first plan prepared in 2018.
This Master Plan outlines plans for investment in the physical capacity of the airport, including enhancements and additions to the terminal building, additional aircraft parking stands and taxiways and land acquisition for possible extension of the runways to cater for future demand and maximise the airport’s potential.
It also examines and considers all non-aviation development options within the airport boundaries.
The current plans require upgrading of the landside infrastructure, including the construction of a new terminal building.
According to the consultant’s report, the current airport constraints stem from the capacity of landside structures not matching that of the new airside developments.
Sizing and costing of the new terminal and subsequent prospects for the airports long-term strategic plans are a major consideration of the Airport Master Plan.
The Master Plan will be used by Council to guide the future development decisions of the airport to achieve sustainable growth and development of their aviation operations and facilities.
This will allow Council to capitalise on future business, operations and commercial development opportunities for the continued future success of the Cobar Regional Airport.
The plan outlines the strategic direction for the efficient and economic development of the airport over the planning period by: providing for the development of additional uses of the Cobar Regional Airport site; indicating to the public the intended uses of the Cobar Regional Airport site; reducing potential conflicts between uses of the airport site; and to ensure that uses of the airport site are compatible with the areas surrounding the airport.
The airport has been in operation since the mid 1960s and, since its inception, the airport has been owned and operated by council.
It has primarily been used by Fly In/Fly Out mine workers, along with providing essential medical assistance to the community through the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other emergency services and it also offers public air transport for locals and visitors.
Anyone who wants to have an input on the Draft Cobar Regional Airport Master Plan has until Monday (November 25) when the public exhibition period ends.
For more information go to Council’s website: www.cobar.nsw.gov.au
