Member for Riverina Michael McCormack officially opened the Temora Airport upgrades with Temora Shire Council Mayor Rick Firman. Photo: Supplied.
The Temora Airport’s $5 million upgrade to its runway, main apron and taxiways has been officially unveiled.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Temora Mayor Rick Firman officially opened the $5,353,151 project, which the Federal Government funded through round three of the Building Better Regions Funds.
The improvements will enhance safety at the aerodrome and enable the operation of large aircraft, which will help to enhance the popular biennial Warbirds Downunder Airshow and ensure the Temora Aviation Museum continues to be a world-class tourist attraction.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Temora Warbirds and the Temora community were going to be the biggest beneficiaries of the initiative.
“The Aviation Museum is one of the Riverina’s greatest drawcards,” Mr McCormack said.
“And this money will only enhance what they do at Temora and this is going to make Temora a destination for pilots, for planes, and for people.”
Mr McCormack said the project had improved the safety, improved the drainage and created jobs.
Temora Aviation Museum deputy CEO Peter Harper said the runway upgrade was going to make the events at the museum more efficient.
“The runway upgrade and the addition of a full length parallel taxiway is a real enabler for the operations here at the Temora Aviation Museum, especially when it comes to our larger airshow events hosted at the Temora Aerodrome,” Mr Harper said.
“It allows much more efficiency and is a massive game changer when it comes to improving safety.”
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Temora Shire Council Mayor Rick Firman. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Harper said that as the Temora Aerodrome encompasses many user groups, the benefits of the upgrade extended far beyond just the museum.
“The Temora Aeroclub, Temora Flyers Inc, and Temora Gliding Club all benefit from the upgrade,” he said.
“Further to that, the aerodrome is very well suited for aerial ag spraying operations, fire-bombing capabilities and emergency services retrievals; we have seen all of these services increase in recent years and the recent upgrade will only go further to support these services for many years to come.”
On behalf of the Temora Aviation Museum, the deputy CEO extended his thanks to “Temora Shire Council engineer Rob Fisher and his team for their patience in delivering this project under very challenging conditions with the wet seasons we have endured”.
“The Federal Government must also be congratulated for having the foresight to invest in regional infrastructure, which the Temora Aviation Museum believes has produced one of the best regional aerodromes in NSW, if not Australia,” Mr Harper said.
Mr Firman said the upgrade was “a game-changer for the Temora Shire.”
“We’re deeply, deeply grateful to Mr McCormack for believing in this project.
“We are so, so grateful, not just as users of the facility but as a shire community and a region. So a very special day here in Temora Shire.”
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