- City of Busselton has appointed consultant KPMGto commence preparation of a business case for further development of the Busselton Margaret RiverAirport
- The business case planning is being carried out jointly by the Cook Government and City of Busselton, with support from other South West local governments
- Builds on planning work carried out so far in support of further development of the Busselton Margaret River Airport
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has welcomed the commencement of a business case for further development of a new terminal and associated infrastructure for the Busselton Margaret River Airport, marking another step forward in planning for the South West asset.
Following a procurement process, the City of Busselton has engaged consultant KPMG to carry out the business case work.
The focus of the work will be on the long-term demand and asset sustainability of the airport, in particular, the passenger terminal and supporting infrastructure.
The business case will incorporate key input studies that have already been completed or are currently being carried out by the City of Busselton.
These include a full review and update of the Busselton Margaret River Airport Master Plan, Market Analysis and Aviation Strategy, Terminal Concept Design, and Asset and Financial Management Framework.
The business case is jointly funded by South West Development Commission (SWDC) and City of Busselton, and also supported by contributions from other South West local governments, due to the regional importance of the airport.
The SWDC is chairing the working group for the business case, which comprises representatives from all levels of Government.
It is expected that the consultant's work will be finalised by the end of March 2024, and will provide a robust case for determining an investment decision for a new terminal by potential funding partners including the State and Federal Governments.
The State Government has provided significant support towards the development of the Busselton Margaret River Airport, leading to the securing of Melbourne and Sydney routes.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"We are seeing really exciting outcomes for the South West as a result of Government and industry working together on this project.
"From March, a second direct commercial air route connecting the East Coast of Australia with the South West of Western Australia is set to further boost the economy and local businesses.
"This is another fantastic milestone for this important asset to the region. The Cook Government will continue to work with the City of Busselton, and other stakeholders to develop a business case for further development of the Busselton Margaret River Airport."
As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"It's exciting to see the business case for further development of the Busselton Margaret RiverAirport underway, with the appointment of KPMG to the project.
"Today's announcement is an important step forward, which comes off the back of significant State Government support to secure direct flights between Busselton and the Eastern States, which have unlocked new opportunities for investment and job creation.
"This airport is an asset for the South West region and it is great to see this business case supported by the local governments of the region."
