Work is to commence on the new Parkes Airport terminal in the next week - but temporary arrangements will come into play from tomorrow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chair of the Parkes Shire Airport Committee, Deputy Mayor Cr Alan Ward said on Friday he was delighted to announce that work would commence on the upgrade to the Parkes Regional Airport Terminal on Monday, July 27, with operations out of the temporary terminal to commence on Tuesday, July 21.
The work is part of the $3 million redevelopment of the airport which is jointly being funded by Parkes Shire Council and the Australian Government, through their Community Development Grants programme.
The work also includes a new entry way, new runway lighting, connection of potable water (all of which are complete), and increased parking facilities.
“During the construction period, the terminal will be operating out of the council-owned Parkes Aero Club building,” Cr Ward said.
“An analysis was carried out by staff of the most cost effective solution to a temporary terminal arrangement and it was decided that the safest and most cost effective approach would be to invest the money into a community asset and make use of the existing Aero Club building.
“Other options such as hiring temporary buildings and staging the upgrade of the terminal where one side of the terminal would operate whilst the other side was under construction were considered, but found less favourable than the Aero Club solution.
“I would like to thank the Aero Club for allowing council to use the club house as a temporary terminal,” Cr Ward said.
“I would also like to commend Regional Express (REX) for working so proactively with council to find solutions to some of the challenges that relocating to a temporary terminal has presented.
“This upgrade will enable council to provide contemporary facilities, replacing 1976 designs, to meet passenger demands which have grown considerably,” Cr Ward said.
“Council understands there may be some inconvenience during the construction period of the new terminal.
“However, we will endeavour to minimise the level of distribution to passengers as much as possible.”
The temporary terminal arrangement will commence tomorrow.
There will be clear signage to direct people to the temporary terminal (Aero Club) which will cater for passenger check in and baggage drop off and pick up as normal.
The project is due for completion by July 2016.
- - - -
Federal Member for Calare John Cobb said the Australian Government was delivering $1.5 million to the Parkes Airport Terminal Upgrade.
“The airport is a strategic regional infrastructure asset servicing a population of more than 40,000 people across the local government areas of Parkes, Lachlan, Forbes, Bland and Weddin,” Mr Cobb said.
“Passenger demand for services from Parkes Airport has grown from 8,000 passengers a year to over 30,000 passengers a year so this upgrade is important.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro said Regional Express (REX) offered regular services from this airport between Parkes and Sydney so upgrading the airport would ensure future population growth could be catered for.
“Surrounding communities rely heavily on Parkes Airport to conduct business, access essential services and medical services as well as stay in touch with family and friends,” Mr Barilaro said.
