Wagga Wagga Airport secured with new 50-year government lease

The Wagga Wagga City Council and the Australian Department of Defence have formalized a new 50-year lease agreement for the Wagga Wagga Airport. The deal provides long-term certainty for the regional facility, which is owned by the Commonwealth and sits adjacent to RAAF Base Wagga.

The agreement follows more than two years of uncertainty regarding whether the federal government would seek a private operator once the previous 30-year lease expired. While Defence officials previously argued that a commercial lease was distinct from privatization, the prospect of a private operator led to significant opposition from local council members and regional politicians who feared commercial interests might supersede the needs of regional passengers and local aviation businesses.

Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil stated that the agreement “locks in the future” of the airport, allowing the council to continue investing in the infrastructure. The airport serves as a critical economic asset for the Riverina region, supporting tourism, freight, and community connectivity.