City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann said up to $500,000 had been allocated to complete ‘minor infrastructure improvements’ at the site in the next six months.

The works would include upgrading the car park, installing security cameras and lighting, creating baggage collection and drop off areas in the terminal, painting the terminal and installing new floor coverings, and installing cafe facilities. 

A provider has yet to be appointed to run a cafe service.

Mr Niemann said the works would likely be partway completed when the first commercial flights between Bendigo and Sydney start on March 31.

Advice from Qantas about its initial needs to start offering the Bendigo – Sydney services will be factored into the early works. 

RELATED: New Qantas service to fly from Bendigo to Sydney six days a week

The city is still seeking funding from the federal government to construct a new terminal building at the airport – a project separate from the aforementioned works.

Bendigo strategy and growth director Bernie O’Sullivan said project would meet the long-term needs of Qantas and the aviation industry.

It includes new passenger arrival and departure areas, airline offices and baggage areas, and space for airline club lounge facilities.

There would be spaces for retail and foot outlets to operate out of the new terminal. New passenger and staff car parking areas also feature in the plans, as does a taxi rank and passenger drop-off area.

An application for $4.4 million from the federal government’s Better Building Regions fund earlier in the year was unsuccessful. Recipients of the next round of funding have yet to be announced.

A further $4.5 million would be sourced from the state government for the $9.9 million project, along with $1 million from the council’s coffers.

RELATED: Bendigo Airport misses out on $4.4 million in federal funding

Bendigo mayor Margaret O’Rourke said the existing facilities were ‘very basic’ and would ‘certainly be extended on’.

She said the upgraded parking would attract a fee comparable to the daily parking rates in Bendigo.

QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said a $15 million airport upgrade, which opened last year, had helped the city attract a commercial airline.

While he said the time frame was tight, Mr Gissing was confident the City of Greater Bendigo, the Bendigo Airport, and other stakeholders would do a fantastic job.

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