THE Sunshine Coast is set for a tourism boom with the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion project gaining Federal approval.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced the Commonwealth approval had been granted for the $347 million project.
Federal member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien told local media the EIS approval gives the runway expansion project “the environmental green light” and “paves the way for the Sunshine Coast to progress towards a fully-fledged international airport”.
The next step forward in the expansion process includes securing a Queensland Treasury Corporation guarantee on any concessional loan granted by the Federal Government to the Sunshine Coast Council, which it’s believed Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has already given his in-principle support for.
The New Runway Project will deliver a new 2450m x 45m runway including runway end taxiway loops, an expanded apron and terminal facilities, a new air traffic control tower and associated infrastructure.
The project will enable direct flights to more destinations across Australia, Asia and the Western Pacific.
