THE rising cost to upgrade and maintain Katherine’s civil airport has slowed Katherine Town Council’s lease renewal negotiations with Defence Services.
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The airport’s civil regular public transport apron and taxiway will need to be upgraded to meet safety standards.
But Katherine Town Council CEO David Laugher says the council does not have funds to pay for it.
Mr Laugher said income generated from managing the airport did not cover the estimated $1.2million to $1.4million upgrade required.
“It is physically going to require upgrading in the not too distant future, and that is a cost we just can’t bear,” Mr Laugher said.
The council has held a lease to operate the civil airport on a total 30 year, ten-plus ten-plus ten-year, arrangement, and much decide upon the final ten year term by July 31 this year, when the current lease expires.
> Read the full story in the Katherine Times print edition, May 8.
