Amanda Wilson wants to invite Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson to visit Horsham as part of a bid to encourage his company Virgin Galactic to build a commercial spaceport in the region.

An article in the Sunday Herald Sun caught Mrs Wilson's attention.

Virgin Galactic has built an American commercial spaceport in New Mexico.

In the article the company discussed long-term plans, which included a possible spaceport in Australia.

Mrs Wilson said the Wimmera had the qualities required by a commercial spaceport in abundance.

"They've talked about having a consistent climate, flat terrain and clear skies - we certainly have those," she said.

"If they're going to consider `north of Bendigo', why not here?"

Mrs Wilson said the Grampians and Mt Arapiles created a fantastic backdrop for a space launch.

"It would also be a huge boost to the Horsham economy, they are talking around 3500 jobs," she said.

"Horsham has so much to offer and we would certainly welcome Mr Branson and any guests."

Mrs Wilson said Horsham needed to attract new and innovative businesses to continue to grow.

"We need to look outside the box," she said.

Mrs Wilson said Virgin space flights would attract `thrillionaires', a new term used to describe young, thrill- seeking millionaires.

She said as a first step she would contact both Virgin Galactic and its boss Sir Richard, and provide them with positive images of the Wimmera.

Mrs Wilson said she expected the planning process for such a project to take a lengthy time, including a decision on where to locate a spaceport.

Virgin Galactic's astronaut sales head Carolyn Wincer told the Mail-Times yesterday the company was not actively looking for a spaceport location in Australia.

"We are very much focused on Spaceport America in New Mexico," she said.

But she said the company's long-term plans did include launches from international sites.

"Australia makes a great location due to clear weather and clear air space in many locations," she said.

"Therefore at some point down the line we could consider locations there."

Ms Wincer said almost 250 people from 40 countries had already reserved flights.