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Description

• The project will add to Australia's productive capacity by:

• Catering for recent and future population growth occurring in a major ‘sea change' region.
• Facilitating new international routes particularly south east Asian tourism routes.
• Guaranteeing the continued operation of a State Significant Airport and the main air gateway to the Sunshine Coast region and its tourist accommodation, hospitality and retail capacity.
• Attracting the establishment or re-location of a cluster of aviation-related industries from other Pacific rim regions and generate quality jobs in sound industries which are robust during times of economic downturn.

Project Benefits

• The project will yield a significant increase in domestic and international passenger movements by catering for larger aircraft with greater range and economy to service the region, and will decrease travel times for freight and work related travel.
• It will allow the region direct access to more distant domestic markets and new international tourism markets.
• The airport precinct will increase revenue and operating benefits including fees and charges for passengers, aircraft fees, car parking and terminal and property charges, which can be directed to recovery of companion commercial capital investment.
• Bring forward the development of a robust aviation sector and associated industries for the region.
• The new facilities will allow direct access to this region for freight, business and tourism. The project allows the region to take advantage of its lifestyle and liveability attributes, agreeable climate, and political stability to attract international businesses to the region.
• The project will provide employment opportunities for Australia's highly skilled workforce.
• As the air gateway to the Sunshine Coast region, the airport is intrinsically linked to the regional economy through access for business and tourism to connect to the rest of the country and eventually the world.
• Sunshine Coast is a Pacific rim region with the potential to attract industries looking to relocate in a nation with a robust and healthy economy.
• Emissions will be reduced by:

• Enabling larger more efficient aircraft to service the region.
• Opportunity to introduce energy and water efficient design and equipment in all new facilities.
• Decreasing road freight and passenger travel to and from Brisbane, particularly by establishing a greater employment base in the Sunshine Coast Region.
• Protection of adjacent Wallum Heath will be assured.

• Links the northern South East Queensland region to the rest of Queensland and the broader national and international economy. The project provides infrastructure to meet the demands of a sea change affected region. The project provides linkage with environmental initiatives of the Maroochy River and Noosa National Park.