New Sydney Metro Airports CEO Colin Grove has made his first address to the airports' operators and users.
Grove officially took up his new role with the owner/operator of Bankstown and Camden Airports last month from long-serving predecessor Kim Ellis.
Previously, Grove was Senior Executive Manager with the Federal Airports Corporation as the National Manager Leasing, overseeing leasing and property development at 20 airports across the country. Prior to that he was a Senior Executive at Sydney Airport Corporation for more than nine years.
In a recent Sydney Metro Airports newletter, Grove addressed the position of Bankstown and Camden and his aims in his new role, as well as the need for a healthy community relationship through consultation. Here what Grove had to say:
“Both Bankstown and Camden Airports have an enviable record in the General Aviation industry and the sports aviation sector. Together with the staff of Sydney Metro Airports Bankstown and Camden, I wish to maintain and enhance their reputation as Australia’s premier General and Sport Aviation airports.
“I am most keen for the airport’s to be considered an ideal place to conduct business. I will work hard to continue building our relationship with the community and emphasise that consultation is a core part of how we do business.
“I am conscious of the current pressures facing the General Aviation industry across Australia and the fact that Bankstown and Camden were not immune to the downturn in the industry. I hope that in partnership with the General Aviation industry we can maintain and provide for a sustainable General Aviation sector at Sydney Metro Airports.
“In this regard our current capital investment program underpins our commitment to aviation, with the most recent example being the completion of the first stage of the $1.5 million resheeting program for Bankstown Airport’s main runway, with stage two of the works scheduled for mid-2011.
“Currently we have several significant commercial projects underway including the $7 million expansion of Pickles Auctions facility, a planned $4 million new facility for storage company and CHEP pallet agent Keep It Simple Systems Pty Ltd (KISS), and a $1 million refurbishment program for the University of New South Wales aviation campus. This all adds up to Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown being a place for growth and opportunity for aviation and non-aviation businesses.
“I very much look forward to leading the next era of growth at the Sydney Metro Airports.”
While clearly Grove brings enthusiasm and intent to his new role, time will tell whether that translates to general improvements and growth at Bankstown and Camden against the number of wider issues GA currently faces. Here’s hoping.
New Sydney Metro Airports CEO Colin Grove. (Sydney Metro Airports)
