Airservices Australia has announced that it plans to invest $200 million over the next 12 months for a number of infrastructure improvements around the country.
“By investing in new and emerging technologies, we will be establishing the foundation for Australia’s next generation air traffic management environment,” said Airservices CEO Greg Russell. “Coupled with our commitment to ongoing training of existing staff, recruitment over the coming year will ensure that we are well placed to meet the demands faced by increasing passenger numbers, larger aircraft and an ageing workforce.”
Key projects Airservices will be investing in over the next year include new surface movement radars at Brisbane and Perth, construction of new air traffic control towers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Rockhampton and Broome, and refurbishment and reopening the ATC tower at Karratha. In addition, Airservices will upgrade training facilities for the Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting service at Melbourne, upgrades to the ARFF stations in Sydney and Melbourne and the commencement of new stations at Brisbane and Broome.
Work on the $16.9 million new ATC tower at Adelaide commenced on July 30, with completion expected during late 2011. The new tower will be 44m high and is adjacent to the passenger terminals. It is expected to be fully operational in early 2012.
