Paid parking at the Armidale Regional Airport has been a topic of conversation for some time. Most other airports that offer a daily commercial passenger service to multiple destinations have already implemented a paid parking program. 

The Administrator Dr Ian Tiley said the time was right to explore a more equitable and fairer system to provide a means of ongoing funding and maintaining infrastructure at the Armidale Regional Airport.

“Council is undertaking major infrastructure at the Armidale Regional Airport including a terminal and apron extension which will require council to borrow and service loans,” said Dr Tiley.

“The majority of people who park at the airport either stay overnight or between three and five days. The current parking arrangements at the airport are not keeping up with demand. Passengers are spilling out into grass areas and on verges.”

“The cost to provide airport infrastructure including additional parking should not be a burden borne primarily by the ratepayers of Armidale Regional Council but one which is more effectively shared across the greater New England region which benefits from the high quality airline services provided by the Armidale Regional Airport. Paid overnight parking offers a fairer way to introduce a ‘user pays’ system for parking.”

Short-term and day parking at the airport would still be free if the proposal proceeds. Vehicles parked overnight may incur a fee of around $10 per day. Council is exploring possible discounts for extended parking periods.

Consultation has commenced and will conclude on Friday, June 23. Feedback from the community about the proposal can be left at council’s online engagement hub at yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au or submissions can be emailed to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au Submissions can also be mailed to Armidale Regional Council PO Box 75A Armidale, NSW 2350 or dropped off at our offices in Armidale and Guyra. A display will also be placed at the airport for passengers to provide feedback.