At this year’s Australian Airports Association Pavement and Lighting Forum, CJC Regional Project Lead Jacki Parish delivered a powerful address to industry leaders, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable investment and strategic collaboration in regional and remote aviation.
With firsthand experience managing a regional airport, Jacki understands the operational and financial pressures that councils and asset owners face. While routine maintenance is typically manageable within existing budgets, major capital works, such as runway resurfacing and lighting upgrades, can cost millions. In many cases, regional councils are expected to contribute up to 50% of these costs through ratepayer revenue. It’s a model that is not only challenging but unsustainable, particularly when future maintenance costs for upgraded assets are not adequately considered.
A Call for Change
Jacki’s message is clear: Regional and remote airports are essential infrastructure and must be treated as such.
Addressing the sector’s current challenges requires a multi-pronged approach
- Funding cycles must be needs-based and reflect the real-time requirements of regional infrastructure.
- Project proposals must be strategically aligned with broader planning objectives to unlock long-term value and access to available grants.
- Collaboration between regional airports and stakeholders must be prioritised to reduce duplication, maximise investment, and deliver shared outcomes.
Driving Practical Support for Regional Infrastructure
Jacki’s commitment to regional and remote aviation extends beyond the forum. She is currently leading a CJC initiative, working alongside FundFindrs to assist councils and airport operators in identifying and securing government grant funding for critical infrastructure upgrades. In New South Wales alone, four active funding programs are available to support disaster resilience and recovery works across airport facilities.
At CJC, we combine deep technical knowledge with lived operational insight to deliver strategic, sustainable outcomes for regional aviation infrastructure. We’re proud to contribute to this important national conversation, and to help lead it.
If your council or airport is facing similar funding pressures or planning future upgrades, get in touch to see how we can support the next chapter of your airport’s journey.
