Plans to lure day-trippers to the Great Ocean Road have been given a boost, thanks to federal government funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Great Ocean Road Airport, based at Peterborough, received $700,000 in the Regional Airports Program.
Owner Richard Nesseler said if he could match the funding dollar for dollar, he could upgrade the airport from code one to code two.
This would improve safety and make it a more attractive airport for planes to land.
Mr Nesseler said it would allow the airport to offer additional parking for planes and widen the runway.
"Our idea is to use the airport for tourism and encourage visitors from Melbourne to fly to Peterborough to see the Great Ocean Road," he said.
He said he hoped the upgrades would be completed within a few years, allowing visitors the chance to spend a few hours in the region and fly back to Melbourne the same day. "We're very pleased to receive the funding," Mr Nesseler said.
The Portland airport also received $991,000 funding in the program, announced by Member for Wannon Dan Tehan.
The funds will be used for resealing works that will improve overall safety for general aviation, the air ambulance and other fixed-wing emergency aircraft use.
Glenelg Shire Council's assets director Edith Farrell said the council welcomed the vital funding boost.
"This investment will ensure the airport remains a premier facility that is accessible for all users, whether it be general aviation or for emergency aircrafts," Ms Farrell said.
"Regional airports provide a crucial connectivity link for the community and it is great to see this importance recognised through this federal funding package."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
