McCORMACK SECURES MORE TIME TO RESOLVE WAGGA WAGGA COUNCIL’S AIRPORT LEASE CONCERNS
Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has secured more time for the Wagga Wagga Airport lease to be resolved thanks to his persistent lobbying of Defence Ministers.
Mr McCormack said the decision to delay putting the airport lease to public tender would allow stakeholders time to address concerns raised by the Department of Defence.
“During last week’s Parliamentary sitting week, I had another productive meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and the Assistant Minister for Defence, Matt Thistlethwaite, to again discuss the Wagga Wagga Airport,” Mr McCormack said.
“This was on top of other meetings I organised with the Defence Ministers on 29 February and 25 March, the latter of which representatives from the Wagga Wagga City Council also attended.”
Mayor Cr Dallas Tout, Deputy Mayor Cr Amelia Parkins, General Manager Peter Thompson, and Rex Operations Manager Warrick Lodge all had the opportunity to address their concerns to the Government.
“Whilst there are several issues to work through, the decision to put the airport out to public tender for leasing has been put on hold until 30 June 2026 to allow the Council to liaise with Defence,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am supportive of Wagga Wagga City Council maintaining a lease agreement with the Department of Defence and will continue to work with Council towards this outcome.”
In recent years, the Commonwealth Government has assisted the Council in delivering upgrades, including: more than $1.7 million for updated lighting; $405,000 for security screening equipment; and was offered more than $3.7 million for capital works associated with enhanced screening.
“I have always seen the significant value the airport provides Wagga Wagga and surrounds, which is why during the 2022 Federal Election, the Liberals and Nationals made a commitment to deliver $24 million to upgrade the airport and its terminal if re-elected to Government,” Mr McCormack said.
Whilst Assistant Minister for Defence, Mr McCormack helped to secure the upgrade of RAAF Base Wagga to ensure the base’s long-term viability in the city.
“The upgrades at RAAF Base Wagga alone are worth $561.9 million and demonstrate a significant commitment by the Commonwealth Government into the facility and the Wagga Wagga region as a whole,” Mr McCormack said.
“Together with Blamey Barracks, more than 4 per cent of workers in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area are employed at these facilities, exemplifying just how crucial RAAF Base Wagga is to our economy and why it is so crucial Defence retains ownership of the airport, ensuring these assets are maintained to benefit generations to come.
“RAAF Wagga contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy each year.”
Wagga Wagga City Council’s original position was to seek ownership of the airport. From May 2022, Council resolved to seek a long-term lease renewal rather than outright ownership but, under new Commonwealth rules, a lease of more than 20 years requires a public tender process.
In the Council’s Business Papers of May 2022, it resolved to seek: “a commitment from the Commonwealth Government to renew the lease of the Wagga Wagga Airport to Wagga Wagga City Council on terms that include a term of 50 years with a 49 year option …”
“I will continue to advocate and work with the Council and my Federal colleagues to ensure Wagga Wagga and its residents get a desirable outcome in regard to the lease of Wagga Wagga Airport,” Mr McCormack said.
“I stand with the Council’s vision to develop Wagga Wagga to its full potential and will do my utmost to ensure it has the vital infrastructure to support the population goal of 100,000 by 2038, including a state-of-the-art airport.
“Wagga Wagga is city of tremendous opportunity and potential. Through the continued co-operation of all levels of Government, we will be able to continue to ensure Wagga Wagga is one the greatest places to live, work and raise a family.”