Member for Calare Andrew Gee said Orange Regional Airport will receive $250,000 to construct a hardstand area to provide safe parking for emergency service and charter aircraft.

"A hardstand will be constructed, which will make the site more durable to better support the weight of heavy vehicles," Mr Gee said.

"Every dollar spent on local infrastructure is a dollar well spent and I look forward to working with the community to deliver this vital funding as we continue recovering from the pandemic."

Orange mayor Reg Kidd welcomed news of the funding.

"Orange City Council is pleased to work in partnership with the Australian Government to continue to improve the quality of the Orange Regional Airport," Cr Kidd said.

"In recent years, with government assistance, a lot has been achieved at the airport and this is another important step for a high-profile gateway to the city.

"It's important in a growing airport such as Orange to expand the areas where planes can park.

"When a corporate jet or a large charter flight comes to Orange, this latest funding will let us expand the area where these aircraft can park so that other commercial flights can use the area safely.

"This new parking area for planes will be about 3,500 square metres near the front of the terminal."

In the same funding round, Bathurst Regional Airport would receive $300,000 to reseal existing pavements and improve security access to the site.

"Our regional airports are gateways to destinations all across Australia, providing essential connections between other country areas and our nation's cities," Mr Gee said.

"While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the wider aviation industry, it has brought to light just how invaluable our regional airports are.

"They are key links between the regions and the cities and the need to keep them strong and viable has never been more important. With international travel off the table, more and more people have been inspired to pack their bags and holiday in Australia.

"While taking to the air has taken a step back during the recent lockdowns, our local airports have proven they can safely handle an increase of commercial traffic once things open up again.

"The Central West isn't just experiencing a boost in tourism. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a net 43,000 Australians moved to the regions last year. In 2019, the net figure was nearly 19,000 people. With more people bound for the bush, and making the region their home, it's important to invest in airport infrastructure to make our region even more desirable for tourists and new residents alike."

Round 1 of the Australian Government's Regional Airports Program saw $308,000 allocated to Mudgee Airport to resurface the runway, taxi-ways and aprons.

For a full list of successful projects and more information on the Regional Airports Program, visit infrastructure.gov.au/regionalaviation.

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