By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE Coldstream Airport will install a new AVGAS fuel facility with the $109,346 grant they received as part of the State Government’s $20 million Victorian Regional Aviation Fund (RAF).
The RAF grant was announced by Minister for the Aviation Industry Gordon Rich-Phillips on Sunday 12 October.
The new AVGAS fuel facility will bring the airport’s gas facility up out of the ground, to meet current standards.
“We’ve had an underground tank for 40 years and it’s been a concern that it will fail eventually, the new system will be above ground allowing us to see leaks when they happen and make inspection more affordable,” owner of Yarra Valley Flight Training, Bob Boyd said.
Mr Rich-Phillips said the new fuel facility will increase storage capacity from 8000 litres to 11,990 litres, providing an improved buffer against sudden increases in fuel usage that can occur during the fire season.
“The improved capacity will better support the airport’s training activities,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“The airport plays a vital role in emergency management protecting the community and the upgraded fuel storage will provide the airport with the necessary resources to defend future emergencies,” Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said.
“The upgrade will make Coldstream a more attractive tourism destination for touring aircraft, local businesses stand to benefit from increased usage of the airport and the convenience it offers visitors to the Yarra Ranges region,” Ms Fyffe said.
