Sunshine Coast Airport has announced that it has engaged consultants AECOM and ARUP to start a study on building a new runway at the growing airport.
“This is a very early but essential stage in planning for a new runway and will contribute to the development of a preliminary design,” said Sunshine Coast mayor Bob Abbot. “A new runway had been identified as a catalytic project that would bring significant economic benefit to the entire region,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Airport general manager Peter Pallot said the preliminary investigations are expected to take around six months. “The initial advice statement is an information gathering process that will inform all levels of government of the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the project,” he said.
The airport opened its expanded terminal in November 2009, which is helping to cater for the growing number of frequencies operated by Jetstar and Tiger Airways. Further growth is expected over the coming years as both low cost carriers attempt to cement their place in the market to and from the Sunshine Coast.
Construction would begin in 2017, with the new runway completed by 2020.
