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Australian Government Approves Expansion Of Darwin And Brisbane Airports

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

06 February 2009

Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has approved plans to expand the terminals at both Darwin and Brisbane airports.

According to the Minister, the expansion to the terminal at Darwin Airport is expected to cost around AUD60m (USD39.5m), and will include: improved security screening; an expanded retail precinct; separate baggage and arrival areas for domestic and international flights; extra boarding gates to allow the simultaneous boarding and disembarking of passengers; additional car parking spaces; and a dedicated goods delivery area.

Darwin International Airport's proposed concept design incorporates three levels:

  • Ground Floor - check-in, domestic and international security screening, inbound international processing;
  • First Floor - domestic and international departure and including expanded retail outlets. Access to international or domestic jet aircraft will be via fixed or apron drive aerobridges or via undercover walkways;
  • Second Floor - airline lounges.

The project is consistent with the current Darwin International Airport Master Plan.

The number of passengers transiting through the Airport is expected to increase from 1.9 million to over 4 million by 2030.

The upgrade of Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal is expected to cost around half a billion dollars, and will be a major infrastructure project that will create 6,000 jobs during construction.

The 'green-lighting' of the project will provide an immediate stimulus to the economy, while putting in place the facilities the airport needs in order to cater for the millions of extra passengers expected over coming decades.

It is the most significant upgrade to the domestic terminal since it opened in 1988, with work scheduled to start later this year.

This investment from the private sector is a vote of confidence in the local aviation industry and will complement the Government's AUD42bn Nation Building and Jobs Plan to support the Australian economy during the current global recession.

The terminal expansion and road network reorganization is designed to meet the airport's future needs, providing users with easier access to its facilities and public transport links.

The expansion includes:

  • A new check-in hall (known as the Pavilion);
  • Reconfiguring the road network for easier access to the terminal;
  • Expansion of the northern end of the terminal, with additional gate lounges and retail space;
  • The expansion of the common-user satellite with up to seven new gates; and
  • A new central energy plant to provide for present and future energy needs of the terminal.

The project is consistent with the current Brisbane Airport Master Plan, and the operators have agreed to implement environmental and traffic management plans during the construction and operational phases of the project.

The number of domestic passengers transiting through Brisbane Airport is expected to more than double from 14.4 million to 34 million by 2030.

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