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The Queensland Government is looking to bolster sovereign aerospace and defence development at Caloundra Aerodrome on the Sunshine Coast.
Caloundra Aerodrome has been declared a Priority Development Area, which the state government says will pave the way for a $78.1 million expansion of aerospace technology HeliMods to deliver “more than 10,000 square metres of defence-grade aerospace infrastructure”.
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“Declaring Caloundra Aerodrome a Priority Development Area will cut through unnecessary red tape and fast-track the infrastructure needed to unlock a $78.1 million investment in Queensland’s sovereign aerospace capability,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie.
“HeliMods is a Queensland success story, and we’re backing its next chapter with a $31.65 million investment through our $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund.
“The hundreds of jobs this project alone will generate is a win for Queensland workers, a win for local industry and a win for our state’s sovereign capability.
“We want to unlock the full potential of Caloundra Aerodrome by creating a platform for the next generation of Queensland aerospace and defence businesses to invest, innovate and grow right here on the Sunshine Coast.”
According to the government, HeliMods is “one of only a few Australian companies delivering end-to-end aerospace capability across design, certification, advanced manufacturing and systems integration”.
“This is just the start, with the Priority Development Area designed to unlock the broader potential of Caloundra Aerodrome, creating opportunities to attract further investment, grow the aerospace and defence industries and deliver more jobs for the Sunshine Coast,” the state government said.
“The declaration will not affect the continued operation of the Caloundra Aerodrome, which will remain the responsibility of Sunshine Coast Council or existing tenants.”
HeliMods founder and managing director Will Shrapnel thanked the state government for the move, saying it would give the firm “greater confidence” as it works to expand at Caloundra.
“We thank the Deputy Premier and the Crisafulli Government for their continued commitment to helping realise sovereign industry investment at Caloundra Aerodrome, and for supporting the Sovereign Industry Development Fund investment with a planning framework to help progress it.
“We also want to thank Member for Caloundra Kendall Hatcher for her ongoing support of the aerodrome and its importance to the broader community.
“Caloundra Aerodrome has a long aviation history and a strong community of operators, and we look forward to working with the Queensland Government, Economic Development Queensland, Sunshine Coast Council and our fellow aerodrome businesses so the precinct grows in a way the whole region can be proud of.”
There will be a 30-day public feedback period for the proposed development scheme before finalisation.
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