Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Things are looking up at the Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome—looking up at the aerodrome!—in my electorate of Hawke thanks to a $470,000 investment under round 3 of the Australian government's $100 million Regional Airports Program. Last week I joined the management committee chairman, Trevor Oliver, at the aerodrome to announce that they had successfully 'landed' the funding. The investment will fund runway and taxiway surface treatment works including the installation of a lighting system with pilot activated lighting control and an illuminated wind direction indicator. The Bacchus Marsh aerodrome is an important asset for our community.

Just a couple of days ago I took the kids down to the aerodrome for the Bacchus Marsh Wings, Wheels and Coffee Festival. I joined thousands of enthusiasts from all over the country who were driving and flying into the aerodrome to see some classic cruisers and vintage planes as well as to enjoy a hot cuppa and a few cheeky snacks. Personally, I was particularly drawn to a Ford panel van that reminded me of my first car, Member for McEwen—the 1992 XF panel van that travelled many miles in McEwen during the 2010 election campaign on your behalf. Events like this are vital for the local economy in towns like Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and others around McEwen and the rest of Australia. It's why the Albanese government's investment in our community infrastructure is so important.