Cooktown gets $2 million boost to regional economy
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
An expansion to the Cooktown Airport and more money for the Cooktown 2020 festival are projects promised funding from the Building Better Regions Fund.
Cooktown is set to receive almost $2 million under the fund to make the projects a reality.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said Cooktown had become a regional service and supply hub for Southern Cape York.
“The BBR grant of $1.7m to help with the expansion of Cooktown Airport will encourage growth in jobs and business development opportunities with existing operators, Daintree Air and Hinterland Aviation,” Cr Scott said.
“The internal road realignment and upgrade will allow us to make additional airside land available and create new business and specialist jobs in aircraft maintenance, tourism and pilot training.
“Warren Entsch successfully brought the Prime Minister to Cooktown to emphasise the suitability and potential of aviation development in regional/remote Queensland.”
“The Federal Government has also reinforced its commitment to Cooktown 2020 by providing funding for the main stage facility – which will be the centerpiece for celebrations and activities over the 48 day event in June- August 2020.”
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the federal government’s $8.5 million investment would help grow local economies and build a strong future for the region.
“These projects will be game-changers for their respective communities and are a great outcome for our region,” Mr Entsch said.
“This is about listening, acting, and delivering for these communities.
“It is projects such as these that make our region an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
A $214,902 Festival Hub Main Stage for the Cooktown 2020 Festival will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook’s visit to the region.
Events held on the stage will include the opening and closing ceremonies, Reconciliation Rocks Concert and Indigenous showcase events.
A $1,738,079 for the airport will see stage two of the project come to fruition.
Stage two of the Cooktown Airport Masterplan includes the realignment and extension of Airport Drive, and the installation of a secure parking area.
The project includes the detailed design of the airport runway which requires an upgrade to a code 3C for larger planes to land, ensuring the ongoing expansion of airport services and passenger services to both Cooktown and Cape York supporting tourism and economic growth in the region.
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