Airport Upgrade

Update April 2010

IT’S OFFICIAL!
The upgraded Bundaberg Regional Airport had its Official Opening on Wednesday 07 April 2010 by Her Excellency Ms. Penelope Wensley AO, Governor of Queensland.

The first Boeing 737 landed in Bundaberg on Friday 09 April 2010, to transport the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Kevin Rudd PM to Brisbane. To mark this milestone, the Mayor, Cr. Lorraine Pyefinch, presented the Prime Minister with a certificate of congratulations marking him as the first passenger on the inaugural 737 departing Bundaberg Regional Airport.

Council welcomes our new Airport Operations Coordinator, Lane Dechaineux. Lane brings with him a wealth of experience within the aviation industry, and will this year celebrate 42 years experience. Lane is well placed to take Bundaberg Regional Airport to the “next level”, having been involved in many runway extension projects, including the first runway extension into Botany Bay in Sydney in 1968 and the third runway in 1998, Norfolk Island in 1984 and Port Macquarie in 2007.

Great to have you on board Lane!

LATEST NEWS

• The upgrade of the terminal building is now complete. The terminal now includes spacious check-in facilities, baggage collection area and departure lounge. As a result of the upgrade, recent operational changes have occurred to access control , with a swipe card system and restricted key access to certain door areas being introduced. Anyone who currently has terminal access may apply for a new swipe, PIN or key at the Airport Operations Centre –please contact Allan Emery, Airport Operations Officer 0418 796 991.

• Terminal security – the security camera system is in operation and the building is locked and alarmed between 2100 and 0500 daily. Staff are requested to be vigilant for securing the terminal and setting the alarms, when there are no RPT movements or when staff are not in attendance Activation of an alarm will initiate a response from the security control centre and a fee applies for the security firm to inspect the site and to reset the system. We thank everyone for their help and cooperation in this important matter.

• Council is working with the Office of Transport Security to review the Transport Security Programme for jet air services and procedures for Council to become a screening authority.

• Other projects on the agenda include new the introduction of Flight Information Display screens and the installation of checked baggage and passenger security screening equipment. These items come on line later this year.

• As a result of the upgrade, the airport is now well positioned with the essential facilities required to implement jet aircraft RPT services. The first B737 aircraft to land and depart occurred on Fri 9th April and was a RAAF B737-BBJ which carried the Prime Minister.

• Council recently undertook the annual technical inspection which included a survey of the runway approach areas. These results have been published by NOTAM

• Construction of the new carpark has commenced. Due to the location of the non-directional beacon (NDB) the carpark cannot be completed in its entirety until the NDB is relocated. AirServices Australia will undertake the relocation in December 2010. A large proportion of the carpark will however be opened later this year to cater for the increased demand.

• Major work will commence mid 2010 on the realignment of the entry road into the Airport. This will see improved infrastructure within the airport precinct and will make available additional land for aviation and aerospace related business.

• Council has completed detailed designs for the 34-lot industrial/commercial subdivision, located north of the airport. This subdivision will include 10 lots with direct airside access that will be available for freehold. The construction of this project will commence in the 2010/11 financial year and will be staged to ensure the supply of land meets the demand.

Update January 2010

Bundaberg Regional Council is progressing the upgrade of the Bundaberg Regional Airport. The lengthened runway extension is now complete extending from 1,560m to 2,000m and has the capacity to take jet aircraft. 

Construction of the terminal (Jeff Lennox Builders Pty Ltd) is currently being finalised, with the cafe fitout nearing completion.  The upgraded terminal, to be completed mid February with security systems in place by the end of March, will cater for jet services and will include key features such as checked baggage screening, secure departure lounge and baggage carousel.

Discussions with airlines continue:

Council has engaged aviation specialists Aspiron Consulting Pty Ltd to develop an opportunity profile and business case to various airlines.  While airlines will not commit until all infrastructure is in place, it is hoped that additional air services will be operating in Bundaberg by the first half of 2010. 

Update 16.10.09

The final stage of Bundaberg Regional Airport's upgrade is progressing well, according to Mayor, Cr Lorraine Pyefinch.

"The first roof sheet went up yesterday (Thursday 15 October) and the structural steel for the check-in area is in place, as are all the underground services" Cr Pyefinch said.

The roofing is expected to be completed by midday Saturday (17 October), weather permitting.  The concrete pad for the arrivals area and offices and public amenities have also been completed.

"The builder Jeff Lennox is managing the project very efficiently, with many different tasks being done simultaneously to maintain progress" Cr Pyefinch said. "And on Thursday our staff met with the baggage handling provider to put plans in place for its installation" she added.

Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch said it was great news. "We are still on track to be finished by Christmas, weather permitting.  We see this as a major driver of economic growth, allowing for increased tourism numbers and better facilities for business and holiday travelers, just in time for the busy holiday season".

The Terminal Extension will increase capacity for existing and new operators by including such features as:

• New check-in area with baggage conveyors
• Bag check screening
• New departure Lounge
• Personal screening facilities
• New arrival area (Baggage Claim) with luggage carousel
• Refurbished dining area
• New car parking facilities

If you require further information please phone Council's Call Centre on 1300 883 699.

 

Previous Updates

Work has been progressing well on the Runway extensions at Bundaberg Regional Airport, however, recent wet weather has had a detrimental effect on timing.

Council is still hopeful to have asphalt on the apron extension and the runway extension prior to the Wide Bay Australia International Air Show in July, but if more rain falls there will be delays. Even if this does occur, it will not have any effect on the running of the Air Show.

The successful tender for the asphalt was Boral.  Boral are due to commence in mid June but, the weather shall be the determining factor.  If all goes according to plan workers will retain the following schedule:

• Finalise pavement (gravel) for the runway extension this week (final week of May);
• Move the pug mill from the runway extension back adjacent to the apron and finish the apron extension and the widening of taxiway B in time for Boral to apply the asphalt in time for the Air Show.
• Construction will be halted for the time the Air Show is operating.
• Immediately after the Air Show, work will commence on the turning node at the northern end of the runway.
• Commence asphalt overlay in August.

Please note that this timeline is dependent on the weather. If heavy rains fall, progress will be delayed.

 

Latest news on the Bundaberg Regional Airport Upgrade

The increasing number of passengers, both tourists and business-related, to Bundaberg and the growth of the tourism industry has created the demand for the redevelopment of the Bundaberg Regional Airport.

The much anticipated upgrade has commenced, with work on the runway currently underway:

Runway extension and overlay and Apron 

The runway and apron are being upgraded to accommodate new air services to the region, which will include the lengthening, strengthening and widening of the runway to 2,000m, from its current length of 1,560m.

The detailed design plans for the runway extension and overlay have been completed and a site fence has been erected, which will act as a permanent security fence once the work is completed.  

Work on the drainage requirements for the upgraded runway and extension is currently underway.  Work on the Apron is also progressing and will extend to allow for two additional aircraft.  The runway extension has commenced and runway overlay will commence in March 2009, with a completion date set for June 2009, in time for the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow.  

This project is complex and challenging, as current air services cannot be interrupted during this time and a detailed method of work plan, approved by the aviation industry's regulatory body, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is required.

As much work as possible will be completed landside to reduce the impact on the operation of the airport before Council comes under the limitations of working airside.  The majority of airside work will be undertaken at night to maximize daily construction time and to ensure interruptions of services do not occur. The upgrade will be managed by Council's Roads and Drainage Engineer, Adam Wyatt and Manager Building Projects, Jim Whittaker.

Photos of the development taking place (this will be updated regularly)

Passenger Terminal 

Detailed designs for a new terminal have been completed and a development application has been submitted.  

In 2007, Sanders Turner Ellick Architects were engaged by the former Bundaberg City Council to provide detailed designs for the construction of a new airport terminal to cater for additional services.  As part of the consultancy, the Architects provided detailed costings for the construction of the terminal, which totalled approximately $20 million.  A development application for the terminal has been lodged and Council is currently undertaking the necessary requirements under the development application process. 

Due to the current financial crisis and economic downturn, Council has decided not to proceed with the new terminal at this time and detailed designs for a low cost interim passenger terminal option, that will act as a temporary facility but still cater for additional air services, are currently being prepared.

The temporary passenger terminal will see the current terminal upgraded and will include baggage screening and reclaim system, which will be used in the new terminal when constructed.

As part of the new terminal designs, a new carpark is required.  Council will still construct the carpark to cater for the increased traffic to the temporary terminal.

View the Architects Concept Plans

1. Airport Terminal Upgrade Floor Plan

2. Airport Terminal Upgrade Perspective Plan

Latest Press Releases

23.03.09 -Concept Plan - First Stage of Airport plans

18.03.09 - Airport Development - More good news! 

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS 

Bundaberg Regional Aviation and Aerospace Precinct

Bundaberg Regional Council is currently developing an Aviation and Aerospace Precinct which aims to develop the region's aviation and aerospace industry by building a critical mass of local capacity to ensure sustained growth and export opportunity.   It will be state-of-the-art facility that provides many opportunities for future growth.

The Bundaberg Regional Aviation and Aerospace Precinct encompasses an area of approximately 366ha and includes:

• Existing aviation industries, charter operations, pilot training schools
• Existing airport
• Future new passenger terminal, the lengthening, strengthening and widening of the airstrip and new apron to accommodate jet services and parallel taxiway
• The CQUniversity - Bachelor of Aviation Technology studies
• A business and commercial precinct, which will have both leasehold and freehold lots with airside and landside access
• A privately developed Business and Residential Airpark, both with airside and landside access
• the Regional Aerial Emergency Services Headquarters. 

CQ University

Central Queensland University has a regional campus located adjacent to the Bundaberg Regional Airport.  The University currently offers a Bachelor of Aviation Technologies degree which offers students the opportunity to undertake a range of careers in the aviation aerospace and information technology industries.

The degree is designed to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of theories and practices appropriate for the aviation and IT industries and to provide the skills to work in a range of operational and management positions within the aviation, aerospace and information technology industries.

Industrial/commercial subdivision

Capitalising on the aviation and aerospace industry base of the region, the Bundaberg Regional Council is currently undertaking detailed designs for a subdivision located at the Aviation and Aerospace Precinct, which will include streetscaping and the development of industrial and commercial land available for lease and/or sale. 

The subdivision consists of 33 lots totaling approximately 108,000 square meters with an average lot size of 3,268 square meters.  The aim of the development is to capitalize on the existing industry base of the region and further encourage aviation-related development and knowledge transfer to the region.

The subdvision will offer both landside and airside lots, which will act as a catalyst in attracting aviation and aerospace industries to the region.  The development of the subdivision will provide the region with employment, skill enhancement, business development, global opportunities and technological advancements and further develop the existing aviation and aerospace supply chain.

Residential and Business Airpark 

Kensington Lakes is a new privately-developed residential and business Airpark currently being developed in Bundaberg.  It provides the opportunity for recreational flyers to live in a modern Queensland coastal city, and to have immediate access to the skies from their own private hangar. Kensington Lakes will offer a diverse choice of attached and detached homes, apartments, student studio units, retirement villas, and Airpark homes.

A business airpark has been incorporated into the development for those industries and organisations that value direct airside access for their own aircraft or access to air operations generally. 

The Kensington Lakes development includes a Village Centre, pedestrian and cycle paths, a major sporting facility, clubs, recreation areas, and appealing and friendly streetscapes as well as broadband telecommunications, environmental systems to protect water quality, and irrigation water reticulated, in addition to the town supply.

The Kensington Lakes Airpark is a masterplanned-community, based on airpark concepts in the United States that have generated much interest from around the world.

For more information or to join the mailing list visit www.kensingtonlakes.com.au

For further information regarding the airport redevelopment contact Council's Manager Economic Development, Cameron Bisley on 1300 883 699