Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 1 November I was honoured to attend the official opening of the new Alliance Airlines heavy maintenance facility in Rockhampton. When I was first elected as the federal member for Capricornia I toured Rockhampton Airport and could see the enormous potential it had as a future international airport.

At the start of 2021 Alliance Airlines brought to me their plan to bring the maintenance of their fleet of 70 aircraft back to Australian shores. It was easy to see the great impact a project of this magnitude would have on the Rockhampton region's economy, with $342 million to be injected back into the economy over the next 30 years. By May 2021 I secured $25 million of funding through the community grant fund and a further NAIF loan of up to $30 million for the $60 million project.

During the two-year construction of the 10,000 square metre facility, 115 jobs were created, while ongoing operation will deliver over 100 highly skilled aviation jobs. A knock-on effect will also create new business and job opportunities in other aviation related services.

This facility is a key piece of infrastructure, which will continue to solidify and diversify Rockhampton's economy. I congratulate Scott McMillan and his team on the momentous occasion and the lasting legacy that the Alliance Airlines Aircraft and Maintenance Facility will have for our region.