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$8.8 million upgrade to Cessnock Airport set for take off

Published on 21 October 2021

Image is an aerial shot of Cessnock Airport with the Hunter Visitor Information Centre in the foreground.

Cessnock City Council is pleased to announce the $8.8 million upgrade to Cessnock Airport will kick off in early 2022, after the tender for the project was awarded at its Wednesday meeting.

In March 2019, Council applied for grant funding under the Restart NSW Growing Local Economies Fund and was advised in April 2020 that the application was successful in receiving a $6,636,100 grant for the Cessnock Airport upgrade . Council is contributing $2,212,097 towards the $8.8million project and all works must be completed by 30 June 2022, in line with the funding deed between Council and Restart NSW.

The purpose of the project is to undertake significant infrastructure upgrades to Cessnock Airport, which are sure to unlock business investment growth.

The airport upgrade is an exciting project which includes the widening and resealing of taxiways; provision of aprons and aircraft parking areas, improved fuel area access, runway rehabilitation, water and sewer connections, installation of non-precision GPS approaches for RWY 17/35 and an upgrade to the eastern terminal.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said he was excited to see this project kick off as it has the potential to create nearly 60 jobs and will be a welcome boost for the economy.

“Our tourism industry has been hit hard in recent times and this project will transform Cessnock Airport into one of the State’s top airports for general aviation and improve the visitor experience.”

“Some people may not know that the airport was gifted to the people of Cessnock in the 1990’s and comes with a wealth of history, from use in the 2nd World War, to having NASA undertake research at this facility. We can now transform this facility and future proof it for our community,” added Cr Pynsent.

The Growing Local Economies Fund is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to the delivery of infrastructure projects which improve the economic growth and productivity of the state under Restart NSW.