THE skies over the Western Downs will soon be buzzing with three new airport upgrades flagged for the coal-rich region.
Australia Pacific LNG, the Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips partnership, has announced it will fund an expansion of the airport at Miles.
It wants to land 50-74 seat aircraft to service its nearby coal seam gas fields.
Western Downs Regional Council has already launched a feasibility study into an upgrade of the Chinchilla airport, with QGC keen to be involved.
Mayor Ray Brown said Xstrata Coal had also proposed a new airport at Wandoan to allow it to fly in and out a workforce of about 900.
He said the pressure was on council to ensure it wasn't left to deal with a nasty case of financial turbulence.
"It's okay for these companies to make substantial contributions up front, but it's not just about capital," Cr Brown said.
"Our ratepayers can't be left to pay the ongoing costs."
Toowoomba Chronicle
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