Armidale Regional Airport's Shand Drive aviation precinct has been declared 'open for business', its newly completed road upgrade another example of Council and business investment forging ahead despite the Coronavirus pandemic.
The precinct upgrade, partially funded by the State Government's Roads for Recovery program, brought it up to industrial road standards to facilitate the subdivision of existing lease lots, in accordance with development consent issued in October 2017.
Armidale Regional Councillor Andrew Murat said the area is home to a number of light-aircraft businesses, including Superair and Fleet Helicopters, as well as the recently constructed Rural Fire Service training and air-base shed.
"Continued investment like this and the new industrial precinct under construction at the southern end of the airport will bring economic stimulus in the community, including a return of more airline services to the area following the easing of COVID-19 control measures," Cr Murat said.
Armidale Regional Council is continuing to work with NSW RFS to develop their assets and operations in the precinct.
"The RFS is a vital organisation in our region and contributed funding towards the civil works at Shand Drive, to improve access to its regional facilities," he said.
"Fleet Helicopters is another prosperous business in the precinct. It has purchased a replacement for 'Lucy', the helicopter that famously crashed while combating bushfires on the south coast earlier this year."
The Shand Drive upgrade included installing stormwater drainage and a nine-metre-wide road complete with kerb and gutter, street lighting and a cul-de-sac.
