By NOEL MURPHY
An upgraded airfield at Lethbridge is paving the way for a new business precinct on the outskirts of Geelong linking agri-business, tourism and aviation.
New runways, an industrial park with more than a dozen new aviation-related outlets, flying classes and flight services have been transforming the Lethbridge Airpark and paving the way for a raft of new enterprises.
Operator Gary Baum said overseas interest, notably Chinese, could see tour flights developed across the Western District, to the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road, to goldfields attractions at Ballarat and Bendigo.
Operations would be complemented by nearby Avalon Airfield and its pending international links to Asia as well as Lethbridge’s growing investor base in agribusiness – the town is slotted for an 800-job, 4000-hectare agri-business precinct tipped to draw investment of $160 million short-term and more than half a billion over the coming decade.
Government funding of $12 million last year is financing a new water pipeline to underpin 20 new intensive agri-businesses. The airport works, in the vicinity of $1.5 million, have been stumped up by state funding of $1 million.
State Aviation Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips has plumped loudly for the airfield as well, saying its upgrade would deliver significant economic, commercial and social benefits to Lethbridge and beyond.
Lethbridge’s importance has been bolstered by the closure of Geelong Airport at Grovedale to make way for housing growth and the tardiness of Avalon to embrace general aviation.
The airport would cater for larger general aircraft as well as emergency services aircraft – fire fighting aircranes and air ambulances — commercial aircraft, 10-seaters, tour groups, aerobatics, fly-in/fly-out charters, Mr Baum told the Independent.
The airfield recently sold 10 of 17 fully-serviced hangar blocks, and had ongoing interest in at least three more, he said.
The Midland Highway site is one of significant industry at present, with large trees removed, and new trees planted, runways realigned, hangars relocated and built and a terminal on the way.
“How we see ourselves is like a Moorabin. This tourism thing hasn’t been touched yet and could be done much better than it is,” Mr Baum said.
“We’ve talked with some people in China and I see Avalon complementing us. We could have tourism flights with Chinese business into here then flying to 12 Apostles, do a bit of Sovereign Hill, hotel –motel it here, say, then fly to Bendigo and back to Melbourne.
“You could have a running commentary over the Western District homesteads, there’s a lot of history, including Chinese gold history and upper-class Chinese would want quick trip around.”
Mr Baum said with 10 new hangars to be built, and more on the way, the airpark would provide significant construction opportunities for local contractors as well.
