Despite the state government wanting to invest in projects which created jobs and growth they are yet to commit to funding the remainder of the Busselton Margaret River Airport expansion.
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The airport expansion was listed as a priority project in the South West Blueprint, launched in July 2015, the document highlighted projects aimed at growing jobs, services and facilities in the region.
At the time of the launch, former Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the document would facilitate economic development and job creation.
However, the state government have held off from committing to funding the project, a decision which is expected at the end of the month, said the now Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Ms MacTiernan said her department was working closely with the City of Busselton to ensure that state government funding for the project was spent wisely.
“The state government and the city are yet to make any final decisions on the scope of the project: we anticipate resolving the position by the end of this month,” she said.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said it was no time to be making cuts to tourism which included events in the region, as it was ideally placed to capitalise on gains from the international and domestic aviation sector.
Ms Mettam said investment in airport infrastructure had meant that WA was well placed to support growth in tourism.
“Tourism is the key area of diversification of the economy,” she said. “We need to be making the most of these opportunities as the Asian markets continue to expand.”
This week, Ms Mettam said China Southern announced an additional fifth flight into WA, setting up the state to reach Tourism WA’s goal of 100,000 Chinese visitors by 2020.
“Regions such as Broome, are capitalising on this with a trial of direct flights to Singapore starting in March,” she said.
“As the most popular tourist destination in regional WA there is no reason why the Margaret River region could not follow with this vision.”