Local consultancy firm, NGH Environmental, is currently finalising an environmental assessment of plans to extend the Merimbula Airport runway, and now is your chance to get involved and have a say.
Bega Valley Shire Council says a key component of the process is thorough community consultation, with the public able to provide feedback on the proposal.
An open community information session is being held on Tuesday (August 27) from 1.00 pm to 7.00 pm in the Twyford Hall meeting room on Market Street Merimbula.
Attendees will be briefed on the environmental investigation and invited to provide the project team with feedback.
Experts in the aquatic environment, surface water, noise, flora, fauna and biodiversity will be on hand along with Council representatives.
A separate invitation-only session is being held today (August 26) for residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Council says, aviation experts Lambert and Rehbein, and a team that includes pilots, engineers and runway specialists, have led the development of the runway extension plan.
Council’s Project Manager, Jenny Symons, says the extension project opens the potential for a greater range of aircraft and airlines to provide passenger and freight services to the region.
“The successful completion of the extension, which is consistent with the current approved master plan for the site, will make the airport less dependent on the current provider and better able to adapt to the ongoing growth of passenger numbers,” Ms Symons says.
“NGH’s environmental assessment includes potential impacts on the lake, flora, fauna and the surrounding community in addition to the development of a noise management plan and we are very interested to hear from the community throughout this important process.”
Work on the runway extension is being conducted in tandem with the terminal upgrade which is well underway and due for completion before Christmas.
The Merimbula Airport Runway Extension project is being jointly funded by the NSW Government and Bega Valley Shire Council.
For more information on the project, contact Jenny Symons on 6499 2222, or email – [email protected]