Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Mike Baird flew in to Merimbula Airport on Monday morning to announce a joint-funded $5.6million upgrade for the airport, with work expected to begin this year.

“These vital investments will create jobs, open new markets and expand opportunities on the Far South Coast,” Mr Turnbull said.

Bega Valley Shire Council general manager Leanne Barnes said state funding of $4.4million will “allow council to extend the runway north, seal the runway end safety area, and undertake other aircraft service areas”. 

Federal funding of $1.2million will aim to improve passenger and baggage security and freight handling, and contribute towards the sealing of the car park on the east side of Arthur Kaine Dr, she said.

Increasing the region’s economic growth on the back of tourism seemed to be the theme of the day with an extra $29million in state funding for the Eden Port development, with the expectation it will create 86 ongoing jobs. It takes the total commitment from all three tiers of government to $44million for the wharf extension.

Former chair of the Bega Business Council Margaret Taylor was in Merimbula on Monday with the hope of talking to Mr Turnbull about a number of issues, including the recent fall in dairy prices.

“I hope all politicians respect the social as well as the economic impact of their decision making on rural and regional Australia,” the Tathra resident said.

Amid the onlookers there was one face in the crowd very familiar to the prime minister.

Kalaru’s Andrew McPherson was a classmate of Mr Turnbull’s at Sydney Grammar.

“I avoided being political,” he said of the meeting.

With their 45-year reunion coming up next year he asked the former senior prefect and fellow debating team member if it would be held at Kirribilli House as Tony Abbott did last year.