Rita Saffioti pledges additional $11.5m for Albany airport upgrades & Tourism Council backs promises

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Rita Saffioti pledges additional $11.5m for Albany airport upgrades & Tourism Council backs promises

Labor has promised $11.5 million to finish Albany’s airport upgrades if re-elected in March, making them the second major party to do so.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced on Thursday that WA Labor would back the Federal Government’s $14.6m fund for Albany airport upgrades with $11.5m of State funding if re-elected in March.

The Federal funding announced in January under the growing regions program will fund the first stage of the City of Albany’s $30m Albany Airport master plan.

That announcement coincided with a commitment from Albany’s Liberal candidate Thomas Brough who pledged $14m to the upgrades.

Camera IconLabor announced its plan for Albany Airport on Thursday. Credit: Jacki Elezovich /Jacki Elezovich

Ms Saffioti said she was proud to be supporting WA’s growing regions.

“It’s a project that Rebecca (Stephens) as member for Albany, and of course the City of Albany has raised with me and it’s been a project we’ve been working with the City of Albany on for a long time,” she said.

“We know that there is demand here, in particular, there has been new and expanded FIFO opportunities in Albany, more and more FIFO workers and more and more residents undertaking jobs throughout WA.”

Ms Saffioti said passenger numbers were increasing because of several factors and particularly capped airfares.

The capped-price fares for residents were introduced in 2022 and the scheme was recently extended until mid-2026 after a $4m funding boost from the State Government.

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Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens said the additional funding would “get the job done” after the election.

“We know the airport is critical to movements for people getting to Perth, not just for passengers but for FIFO workers so people can live in regions like Albany and the surrounds and go earn some ******* dollars up in the mines,” she said.

“These upgrades mean we will be able to support the movement of larger aircraft in and out of Albany, improve access for emergency services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and seasonal aerial firefighting, and expand the terminal building and carpark.”

Tourism Council WA welcomed the promise.

“Visitors to Albany spend $305m in the local destination each year, creating 1690 jobs,” chief executive Evan Hall said.

“Albany has been a rising star as a regional tourism destination, however it is constrained by a lack of accommodation and air services.”

However, Mr Hall warned the airport expansion would need to be supported by tourism development in the region.

“An expanded airport would need to be accompanied by accommodation development and a dedicated regional airline with larger aircraft to host more visitors to Albany,” he said.

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