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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 5682 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 17 October 2019 by Mrs A.K. Hayden

Question Directed to the: Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to an article titled 'Fly Busso-Melb for $89' which appeared in The West Australian on 5 October 2019, and I ask:
(a) What are the contract details regarding the subsidised Melbourne to Busselton flights;
(b) How much did the State Government contribute;
(c) What is the State Government's marketing plan for this connection:
(i) What is the budget for this marketing plan;
(d) What are the projected visitor numbers into Busselton resulting from this connection; and
(e) When will the Busselton airport expansion commence:
(i) What is the expected completion date; and
(ii) Where has the reported $3.26m in funding for the terminal upgrade come from?

Answered on 27 November 2019

a. The Government is not a party to the agreement. The contract details remain a confidential commercial agreement between the City of Busselton and Jetstar.  

b. The State Government’s project budget for the airport expansion includes an allocation for airline attraction and marketing of up to $1.5 million. 

c. The South West Development Commission has worked closely with the City of Busselton to secure an airline service. Tourism WA will continue to support the new flights to Busselton with marketing on the East coast to be undertaken cooperatively with Jetstar and the City of Busselton. This is in addition to the ongoing marketing and promotional activity that Tourism WA undertakes around the Margaret River Region as one of the State’s most recognisable tourism destinations with a global reputation for excellence.  

d. Around 20,000 visitors from Melbourne are expected in the first year of flight operations and more than 60,000 over three years.  

e. The State has already invested $43.25 million towards the development of the airport and airline attraction. Airside works to runways and taxiways are complete. Landside civil works are complete. A further to $3.265 million will be invested to upgrade terminal infrastructure to allow Jetstar’s air service to commence in March 2020. 

The funding consists of $1.74 million previously allocated to support Busselton’s bid for the Qantas Pilot Academy with the remainder coming from the existing budget allocated to the airport expansion project.