Concerns raised over airport contract

THE Federal opposition, through local member Lisa Chesters, has voiced concern over the insecurity of funding for proposed Bendigo Airport upgrades.

Last week Ms Chesters, said she was “alarmed” to hear the City of Greater Bendigo is yet to receive a contract for the money.

The Federal Government announced in January it was committing $4.5 million for the upgrade and a new adjoining business park.

Ms Chesters said with an upcoming national election, the deal, which the City has been lobbying for three years, needs to be finalised.

“We’re weeks out from the Federal election and I’m calling on the Government to fund the airport, get the contracts to the City of Greater Bendigo to sign,” she said.

“As we stand here today there is no contract in place for the funding required to upgrade this terminal. Without that contract this project is not guaranteed.”

Ms Chester also said Federal Collation Governments have a history of putting off projects in the Bendigo region.

“We’ve got a budget coming up and who knows what will be in that budget, who knows what funding will continue or be guaranteed, they could back out on that funding,” she said.

“They promised $10 million for safety improvements on the Calder Alternate Highway and we haven’t seen a cent of that money since it was promised. That’s another project that’s just lagging.”

However, Victorian Senator, Sarah Henderson, said the funding of the airport remains on track.

“As soon as the Morrison Government announced the grant, the Department of Infrastructure sent the City of Bendigo the preliminary paperwork to complete before undertaking the necessary due diligence,” she said.

“I expect the funding agreement will be issued and finalised in the next few weeks within the expected timeline.”