STRATEGIC PLAN May 2017 2ii CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO: BENDIGO AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN City of Greater Bendigo: Bendigo Airport Strategic Plan This project has been conducted by REMPLAN Project team Nick Byrne Principal Consultant Phillipa Allan Consultant November 2016 REMPLAN and the City of Greater Bendigo hold all rights in relation to this document. Reproduction or distribution of this document in part or as a whole, requires the express permission of either of these parties. Disclaimer All figures and data presented in this document are based on data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and other government agencies. This document is provided in good faith with every effort made to provide accurate data and apply comprehensive knowledge. However, REMPLAN does not guarantee the accuracy of data nor the conclusions drawn from this information. A decision to pursue any suggestions mentioned in the report is wholly the responsibility of the party concerned. REMPLAN advises any party to conduct detailed feasibility studies and seek professional advice before proceeding with any action and accept no responsibility for the consequences of pursuing any of the findings or actions discussed in the document. Contact Us: REMPLAN Po Box 5006 Sandhurst East, Bendigo, VIC 3550 Tel: 1300 737 443 Email: [email protected] CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO: BENDIGO AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN iii3 Contents Disclaimer ii 1 The Strategic Plan 4 1.1 Purpose of the plan 4 1.2 Structure of the plan 4 2 The Bendigo Airport 5 2.1 Vision 5 2.1.1 Economic statement 5 2.1.2 Objective 5 2.2 Current context 7 2.2.1 The Bendigo Airport Precincts 8 2.3 Drivers of change 10 3 Strategic Directions 11 3.1 Strategic Direction 1 – Connected and active regional transport hub 11 3.1.1 Strategic Direction 1 - Actions 12 3.2 Strategic Direction 2 – Transformative operations and project delivery 14 3.2.1 Strategic Direction 2 - Actions 14 3.3 Strategic Direction 3 – Ongoing financial viability 16 3.3.1 Strategic Direction 3 - Actions 18 3.4 Strategic Direction 4 – Governance for the future 19 3.4.1 Strategic Direction 4 - Actions 20 4 Implementation of the Plan 21 4.1 Implementation, monitoring and review 21 4.1.1 Summary of Strategic Plan actions 21 4 CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO: BENDIGO AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN 1. The Strategic Plan Bendigo is located in the geographic centre of 1.1 Purpose of the Strategic Plan the state. The City of Greater Bendigo covers an The Plan has been developed to provide a clear set of area of 3,000 square kilometres and is home to actions and associated tasks to guide development at over 110,000 people. Bendigo is the largest urban Bendigo Airport over the next five years (until 2022). area in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. Bendigo provides a geographic base for The Plan provides strategic guidance to enable an extensive region supplying high order services the Bendigo Airport to successfully transition from a registered airport with general aviation activities in fields such as health, education, finance to a certified and commercially viable airport that and banking, advanced manufacturing, food includes Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) services. processing, arts and culture, and government It will also outline opportunities for the ‘non-airside’ services. land, which underpins Bendigo Airport’s long term commercial viability. With the largest capacity airport in north central Victoria the region served is extensive. The map Recommendations for the successful implementation below indicates the extent of the region that can of the plan, including appropriate governance readily access Bendigo Airport as against any requirements, are also addressed in this document. other airport with a relative level of capacity. The 1.2 Structure of the Strategic Plan region embraces the regional centres of Bendigo, Shepparton, Echuca and Swan Hill together with The following Plan has been developed in close a range of smaller centres such as Castlemaine, consultation with Bendigo Airport Advisory Committee and key City of Greater Bendigo staff, Deniliquin, Maryborough, Kyabram and Kerang. including the Airport Manager. The Plan provides The catchment area for Bendigo Airport embraces an overview of Bendigo Airport, including a draft an area of over 25,000 square kilometres, one vision for its long term redevelopment. Following a of Australia’s most productive agricultural and short summary of Bendigo Airport Precincts and key horticultural regions with an estimated population drivers of change, the Plan outlines four key strategic of over 300,000 people. directions and associated actions. A summary of the actions arising from the development of the plan is Establishing and expanding Bendigo Airport also provided, which details key actions, dates, and a as a key transport hub is a priority for the process for monitoring and review. region and strongly supports its aspiration for Greater Bendigo to be the world’s most liveable community. Cities the size of Bendigo require sophisticated Swan Hill transport methods and there is a long-held local ambition for Bendigo Airport to support the movement of residents and visitors, and the Denilliquin freight of goods and services both nationally and internationally. Kerang Strong growth in Bendigo’s diverse economic base, including health care, financial and insurance services, and professional services continue to drive job creation, population Echuca expansion and established business activity. These factors underpin the importance of Kyabram Shepparton continued investment in Bendigo Airport. As Wedderburn Bendigo Airport expands its own services and Bendigo as a destination, there is a mandate to St Arnaud ensure it is financially sustainable and profitable. Bendigo This Strategic Plan (the Plan) sets out a clear vision, objectives and priority actions to drive this transformation of Bendigo Airport. Maryborough Castlemaine Kyneton CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO: BENDIGO AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN 5 2. The Bendigo Airport 2.1 Vision 2.1.2 Objective The Plan’s objectives for Bendigo Airport include: To link passengers and freight within the Loddon Campaspe region to national and international • Becoming a transformative community asset, destinations. acknowledged as a pivotal community resource that supports a diverse and robust economy underpinned by prosperous and connected communities 2.1.1 Economic statement • Ensuring delivery of the highest levels of safety To establish and maintain an economically and security in regard to airport operations viable airport that attracts commercial transport operators; encourages job growth across the • Creating value (financial and in-kind) that is airport and surrounding commercial precincts; aligned with the regional economy through a and supports business prosperity in the region by range of credible, profitable and viable economic activities supporting a range of passenger, freight connecting Bendigo nationally and internationally. and general aviation services Economic viability will be achieved by creating • Extending essential community services for sustainable revenue and recognisable economic emergency and natural disaster responses value within the Bendigo Airport itself and • Engaging proactively with the community to Bendigo Airport precinct sites across airline ensure Bendigo becomes a thriving transport hub operations and a range of passenger, freight, that is valued by the community general aviation, and allied retail and commercial opportunities. • Being the preferred travel method for interstate and international visitors travelling to and from Bendigo and the Loddon Campaspe region • Being a major generator of employment and other economic benefits for Bendigo and the Loddon Campaspe region through providing quality transport facilities and services including freight • Ensuring we continue to enhance the range of facilities, products and services offered to meet Figure 1 Bendigo Airport – Proposed Flight Path Map customer expectations Swan Hill The vision and objectives will be achieved through a range of actions aligned to the following Denilliquin strategic directions: • Strategic Direction 1 Kerang Connected and active regional transport hub • Strategic Direction 2 Transformative operations and project delivery • Strategic Direction 3 Echuca Ongoing financial viability • Strategic Direction 4 Kyabram Governance for the future Shepparton Wedderburn BENDIGO St Arnaud Primary Destinations Bendigo Secondary Destinations Maryborough Castlemaine Kyneton 6 CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO: BENDIGO AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN 2.2 Current context Bendigo is located to the north of the Great Dividing Range and enjoys a warm mediterranean Bendigo Airport is located four kilometres climate, averaging 240 rain-free days per year. north-east of the Bendigo CBD (Figure 2). The The area avoids extreme weather conditions such land around Bendigo Airport is relatively flat as strong wind and snow and has an average and adjoined by areas of low density residential temperature in January of 29 degrees and 12 development, industrial activity and the Wellsford degrees in July. The pleasant weather conditions Forest. make Bendigo a reliable location for aircraft Bendigo Airport is a registered airport and activities including Regular Passenger Transport home to Bendigo Flying Club, HEMS 3 Air (RPT) operations, flight training and emergency Ambulance helicopter service and DELWP services. temporary emergency service during fire season, The Bendigo Airport Master Plan (2007)