BENDIGO'S mayor will be watching the budget closely for long awaited airport funding.
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This year's City of Greater Bendigo election wish list included $4.4 million for a new Bendigo Airport terminal.
An election could take place as soon as May and there was a chance the government could reveal funding for some of the council's election hopes, Cr O'Rourke said.
The council believed a new terminal building was needed to meet aviation and safety standards and help Qantas expand in Bendigo.
The first Qantas flight touched down on Sunday. The council and airline had already completed upgrades to the parking lot, baggage area and new facilities, but more work at the airport was needed.
She hoped new funding would open the door for an onsite business park and allow airlines to expand Bendigo-bound services from other locations.
The project was estimated to generate up to 40 direct and indirect jobs during construction, with another 53 throughout the local economy once completed.
The council had hoped to lock in funding for new facilities including an arrivals hall, baggage pick-up, check in counters, a departures lounge and retail opportunities last year, but missed out on Building Better Regions funding.
In the past 24 hours the council had heard the federal government had set aside $100 million for regional airports.
The funding could promote aviation safety including work on runways, taxiways and projects like fencing, minister for regional development Michael McCormack said.
"We will work with regional communities to determine what airport works will provide most benefit," he said.
Cr O'Rourke said it was too early for council to know whether it would eligible for that funding.
"We'll be looking for all opportunities. Obviously, we want a $4.5 million commitment from the state government, as well. Then the city would fund $1 million as well," she said.
The council released its wish list earlier this year, which included $2 million from the federal government for a "game-changer" function centre at the Central Deborah Gold Mine and $5 million for a Golden Dragon Museum expansion.
Cr O'Rourke had yet to hear if any projects on the list had been successful.
"I think that we will start to see some activity around that once the budget has been brought down this week," Cr O'Rourke said.
The minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development was approached for comment.
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