Plans to upgrade Port Macquarie Airport have skyrocketed with not only Virgin adding a Port to Brisbane return run to its daily agenda, but with Council gunning to get started on the staged closure of Tuffins Lane to allow for the overhaul. Council has lodged an application to close a section of road with the Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA). So too Virgin announced late last week its intentions to up its flights and bring a Queensland audience on board from October. Council’s General Manager Tony Hayward said not only will this service provide the community with more choice and travel flexibility, it is set to expand the tourism market and have a significant economic impact. “With approximately 220,000 passengers through our airport last financial year, it is certainly one of Council’s most significant facilities,” he said. “Looking forward, Council remains committed to promoting further growth in passenger numbers and the expansion of flights as part of the ongoing development of Port Macquarie Airport as the premier gateway to the Mid-North Coast.”
The push to close Tuffins Lane is in line with plans to boost airport facilities and services.
To cater for an airport upgrade, and future development in the area as identified in the Airport Master Plan 2010, the section of Tuffins Lane where it adjoins the airport will need to be closed in two stages.
The section of Tuffins Lane already closed is required for the provision of a new runway end safety area in accordance with CASA requirements.
The Stage 1 closure, earmarked for early 2012, is required to ensure the safety and security of aircraft operations on the expanded RPT apron which is proposed to extend up to the existing Tuffins Lane road boundary.
The Stage 2 closure will be required in the future to allow for further development of the airport, including the proposed Airport Precinct business park.
Acting Director of Corporate and Business Services Kristian Enevoldson said the staged closures align with Council’s strategic direction to facilitate the expansion of the Port Macquarie Airport which, as a result, will positively benefit the local economy.
The airport’s expansion came to the fore at the March Council meeting when it resolved to move into detailed design phase, which was due for completion at the end of July.
Scope of work includes either a 45m wide runway with a reduced (five to 10 year) design life; or a $17 million 30m wide runway with a full 15-year design life; a taxiway overlay and new apron construction ($3 million); a partial upgrade and expansion of the existing terminal building ($3 million); and the upgrade and expansion of the existing carpark ($2 million).
Rebecca Olsen, Manager of Business Services, describes the Master Plan implementation as “future proofing – ensuring the airport infrastructure is in place to cope with population and subsequent service growth”.
Independent Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott welcomed Virgin Airlines’ decision to expand its Port Macquarie service.
“This is solid evidence that the $19 million of investment we achieved for Port Macquarie, Taree and Kempsey airports in the May Federal Budget is now paying dividends,” Mr Oakeshott said.
Of the $19 million allocated to the Mid-North Coast Aviation Plan, $15 million goes towards the Port Macquarie Airport, with $2 million each to Kempsey and Taree Airports.
Story: Kate Yates
