BJ mentions the A-word in New England... 
Via BJ central: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/j...d-airports
Vital funding for New England airports
Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell and Quirindi airports will benefit from upgrades funded under Round 2 of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Airports Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the projects would upgrade runways, taxiways, lighting and emergency services facilities.
“In Armidale, $300,000 in federal funding will deliver an airside aircrew rest facility for emergency services, access gates, aircraft tie-downs and other improvements,” Mr Joyce said.
“In Tamworth, a further $300,000 will fund reconstruction and sealing of the taxiway pavement, improving safety and access.
“Inverell will receive over $278,000 for runway lighting upgrades, new wind indicators and a backup generator to support crucial aviation operations, while Quirindi will benefit from almost $300,000 for runway pavement repairs.
“Every dollar spent on local infrastructure is a dollar well spent and I look forward to working with the community to deliver this vital funding as we continue recovering from the pandemic.”
Mr Joyce said the program supports important safety and access upgrades for regional airports.
“For our regional communities, the local airport provides an essential link to the rest of Australia,” he said.
“That’s why we’ve committed $100 million over four years from 2019–20 to 2022–23 to deliver upgrades to improve runway and taxiway pavements, install new lighting or fencing at regional airports.
“These projects will improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers, the delivery of goods and services and better meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services, including supporting bushfire preparedness.
“This is a great example of the Nationals in government backing the aviation industry while boosting local economies to help secure a stronger future for our regional areas,” Mr Joyce said.
For more information on the Regional Airports Program, visit infrastructure.gov.au/regionalaviation
But for some reason, Each Way Hitch takes issue with that announcement in this week's LMH: http://www.australianflying.com.au/the-l...-july-2021
Also in the negative for BJ is the behind scenes announcement that MAC (Moorabbin Airport Corp) has been granted an extension (Feb 2022) by BJ to release their MAP??
This is seen as a negative as it gives MAC more time to respond to the MACC stakeholder submissions - I would say much MTF on that one...P2 -
Via BJ central: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/j...d-airports
Vital funding for New England airports
Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell and Quirindi airports will benefit from upgrades funded under Round 2 of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Airports Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the projects would upgrade runways, taxiways, lighting and emergency services facilities.
“In Armidale, $300,000 in federal funding will deliver an airside aircrew rest facility for emergency services, access gates, aircraft tie-downs and other improvements,” Mr Joyce said.
“In Tamworth, a further $300,000 will fund reconstruction and sealing of the taxiway pavement, improving safety and access.
“Inverell will receive over $278,000 for runway lighting upgrades, new wind indicators and a backup generator to support crucial aviation operations, while Quirindi will benefit from almost $300,000 for runway pavement repairs.
“Every dollar spent on local infrastructure is a dollar well spent and I look forward to working with the community to deliver this vital funding as we continue recovering from the pandemic.”
Mr Joyce said the program supports important safety and access upgrades for regional airports.
“For our regional communities, the local airport provides an essential link to the rest of Australia,” he said.
“That’s why we’ve committed $100 million over four years from 2019–20 to 2022–23 to deliver upgrades to improve runway and taxiway pavements, install new lighting or fencing at regional airports.
“These projects will improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers, the delivery of goods and services and better meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services, including supporting bushfire preparedness.
“This is a great example of the Nationals in government backing the aviation industry while boosting local economies to help secure a stronger future for our regional areas,” Mr Joyce said.
For more information on the Regional Airports Program, visit infrastructure.gov.au/regionalaviation
But for some reason, Each Way Hitch takes issue with that announcement in this week's LMH: http://www.australianflying.com.au/the-l...-july-2021
Quote: Regional airports around Australia could all use a cash hand-out, so those that have been successful in the latest round of the Regional Airports Program (RAP) will not be complaining too loudly when the Federal Government's cheques are cashed. The RAP second round closed last December and so far very few announcements have been made. To be exact, four have been made. Last night, Armidale, Inverell, Quirindi and Tamworth were revealed as the latest beneficiaries of federal funding. If those airports seem close togther, you're getting warm. They're all in the federal electorate of New England, for which the sitting member is Barnaby Joyce ... the very bloke that controls the RAP purse strings. That explains why these four airports were singled out for a special announcement when other successful candidates are still under wraps. At the risk of stuffing a pillow into the mouth of the gift horse, making the announcement this way does nothing to quell accusations of porkbarrelling, which have been getting very loud since the whole carparks scandal broke. These airport are in need of as much funding as they can get, but don't need the negative light that comes with such controversy.
Also in the negative for BJ is the behind scenes announcement that MAC (Moorabbin Airport Corp) has been granted an extension (Feb 2022) by BJ to release their MAP??
This is seen as a negative as it gives MAC more time to respond to the MACC stakeholder submissions - I would say much MTF on that one...P2 -