Whyalla to get ‘vital’ upgrade of airport and new foreshore playground
The federal and state government will fund a $32 million upgrade to the Whyalla Airport, as $3 million in federal funding secures a destination tourism project.
Premier Peter Malinauksas said funding from the federal and state governments and council is the final piece of the puzzle that will make the upgrade a reality.
“We are optimistic about Whyalla’s future and want to ensure this important regional centre can seize opportunities as major local infrastructure projects come online,” he said.
The Albanese Labor Government has pledged a $16.2 million contribution while Whyalla City Council added $2.4 million to the state government’s $13.8 million to cover the total project cost of $32.4 million.
The investment will support upgrades to strengthen the airport’s runway to enable larger, heavier aircraft to land safely as Qantas, the sole airline servicing Whyalla, will begin phasing out its smaller aircraft from its regional fleet.
Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said regular air passenger transport is essential for the people of Whyalla and the broader region.
“These airport upgrades will support connectivity, access to vital services, along with economic and social benefits for the community,” he said.
The airport currently services over 50,000 passengers every year, including key fly in/fly out workers, along with other industrial and mining activities.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government announced a $3 million contribution to a new adventure playground on Whyalla’s foreshore.
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The splash and play plaza project is expected to support 42 jobs during construction and 12 ongoing jobs once open, injecting around $1.2 million visitor spend to the economy.
City Of Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone said the news has been long awaited but is welcomed.
“It’s incredibly exciting to share this news with our community, who have been waiting patiently for progress on this project since it was announced several years ago,” he said.
“This first-class initiative will not only benefit those who already call Whyalla home – it will be a major drawcard in helping attract the new residents that are needed over the coming years to service the major industrial projects in the pipeline.”
