Airport to fund new hospital
On the market: The Cairns airport is to be sold to raise funds for a new Cairns hospital.
BREAKING NEWS: The Queensland Government has announced that Cairns Airport will be privatised in a potential billion-dollar deal that will eventually give Cairns a new hospital. Click on the image above for the complete story on the new Cairns hospital deal.
Premier Anna Bligh said money from the sale would be invested in new health infrastructure for Cairns.
Cairns MP Desley Boyle said the proceeds of the sale would be used to expand the existing hospital, including a new building, in the short term.
In the long term, land would be purchased in the city`s southern growth corridor for a new hospital.
"All the money will stay in Cairns, the Premier has given that guarantee," Ms Boyle said.
A government source said the privatisation could deliver a potential billion-dollar windfall.
"There are a lot of cashed-up super funds looking for opportunities like this and why wouldn't they want Cairns, it's the jewel in the crown," the source said.
The shock moves comes just three days after the Cairns Port Authority and Tourism Tropical North Queensland launched a study into issues impacting growth at the airport.
Cairns International Airport is Australia`s sixth largest and biggest regional airport with revenue of $71.3 million in 2006/07.
Cairns Port Authority, a state government corporation, took control of the airport in December 1981, with the dual international and domestic terminals opened on March 31, 1984.
Under the deal the Cairns seaport will remain in government hands.
Read the full report in tomorrow's The Cairns Post
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