Bendigo has again missed out on $4 million of federal funding for its new airport terminal.
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The City of Greater Bendigo had applied for $4.395 million from the Building Better Regions Fund. It has also applied to the state government for $4.5 million.
Council director of strategy and growth Bernie O'Sullivan said the city would continue to advocate for Australian Government funding particularly in the lead up to the federal election.
"When funding is made available the city plans to complete stage three of the airport redevelopment, which involves extending utilities access to land next to the new runway designated for future use by aviation-compatible businesses," he said.
"In time we would also seek to expand the terminal building to accommodate future activity at the airport, particularly new flight routes or other airlines wanting to operate out of Bendigo."
The latest round of Building Better Regions Fund infrastructure grants sees airport-related projects in Hervey Bay, Cooktown and Temora receive funding totalling $16,281,230.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said she intends to find out why Bendigo missed out on the federal funding when parliament resumes in April.
"Now that it hasn't been funded, I'm going to be asking why and campaigning really hard for the funding of this project. I was really hoping it would be funded in this round," she said.
"This is a fund designed to create jobs, build local economy and ensure infrastructure investment for the future. If this project doesn't qualify, I don't know what will.
"It is disappointing the federal government missed their opportunity to partner with the city to get this new terminal ready for when we start flights later this month."
The City of Greater Bendigo needs about $10 million for the project including just over $4 million each from the federal and state governments.
"(That funding would) get a fit-for-purpose building for the volume of passengers and flights we will be receiving in Bendigo." Ms Chesters said.
"The work going on is the end of stage two. That gets the terminal up to the basic standards for the new Qantas flights that start on March 31."
Mr O'Sullivan said the city had been able to accommodate current airport terminal works in its current budget.
"(It) ensures we can welcome Qantas flights when they start this month," he said.
"There have been strong bookings for flights, so it is wonderful to see residents and businesses enthusiastically embrace the new Bendigo to Sydney return service."
The Liberal Party was contacted for comment.
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