THE deputy mayor wants to start a conversation which could lead to the potential long-term lease or sale of Port Macquarie Airport.
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The money could be invested into priority infrastructure works but Cr Adam Roberts needs support from his fellow councillors first.
Cr Roberts has a proposal up for discussion at Wednesday night's Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting, which if supported, would result in an independent process or analysis of the airport's current and potential future market value.
He proposes an expression of interest process would follow for the potential long-term lease or sale of the airport and a confidential report brought back to a council meeting.
"I'm trying to achieve council thinking outside of the square when it comes to trying to fund large infrastructure projects and taking control of our options in that regard," Cr Roberts said.
"We can wait for government grants, but if we do that, we are just waiting around for other people's timeframes."
Cr Roberts said thorough community engagement would be an important part of the process if it went ahead.
The airport owns the airport, which it operates as a business unit and is self-funded by revenue received from airport operations. A recent $21 million upgrade to the runway, taxiway and apron was funded through $15 million from the federal government and $6 million from the council. The upgrade paves the way for larger planes.
QantasLink and Virgin Australia flights link Port Macquarie with Sydney and Brisbane, and QantasLink flies to and from Lord Howe Island at certain times of the year.
Cr Roberts would prefer a lease over a sale, as he said the airport would then remain in council ownership but it would remove the risk to council as far as the business itself.
An investment firm has recently approached the council about its willingness to discuss a long-term lease or sale option for the airport.
No offer is on the table.
A 2010 airport master plan provides a 20-year vision for the airport, while an addendum deals with Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements and the airport upgrade.
The airport caters for about 230,000 passengers a year, making it the fifth largest regional airport in the state, the airport website said.
Another car park, funded from the airport business unit, opened this year for rental cars and airline, security and cafe staff.
