Work is commencing on a new aviation precinct at Cairns Airport.
The Eastern Aviation Precinct will include an array of purpose-built infrastructure and facilities, enabling key local industries, businesses and airport partners to expand operations and explore new opportunities.
Four new aeronautical stands will be constructed during the first stage, enabling quicker turnaround for aircraft and ultimately catering to more passengers.
Also earmarked for development are new aeromedical and emergency response facilities, aircraft maintenance and repair resources including a 10,000m2 common-user hangar, training facilities and an area for renewable fuel and energy production, a significant emerging industry.
Helicopter operators will have a new dedicated base, allowing for more frequent scenic flights and increasing tourism capacity. Once completed, operations at the Eastern Aviation Precinct are expected to contribute up to $60 million to the region’s economy.
Critically, the new infrastructure will also offer improved flood resilience, Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said.
“While we can’t predict the impact of future weather events, this project includes building specifications which will help to improve long-term resilience of the new infrastructure,” he said.
“This precinct is central to our strategic plan for future sustainable growth. We are investing now to ensure we have infrastructure that will support local industries, and develop our business in a way that is responsible and beneficial to our community.”
A number of operators at the current General Aviation precinct have outgrown their facilities and plan to eventually relocate to the Eastern Aviation Precinct.
Among the key features of the new development is the common-use maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar, which will unlock much-needed capacity and position Cairns as a national leader in the sector.
Data shows Cairns’ MRO sector contributes $36 million to the regional economy each year and provides more than 370 direct jobs, Advance Cairns Chief Executive Officer Jacinta Reddan said.
“However, current facilities are operating over capacity, leading to an estimated $15 million in business being turned away last year,” she said.
“Development of the common-use hangar will open up significant local business opportunities, create more jobs and career pathways and provide flow-on economic benefits.”
The Eastern Aviation Precinct is being developed on a vacant parcel of already-cleared land to the left of Airport Avenue. Construction will follow a staged approach, with completion of the aeronautical stands expected in 2027, followed by further ongoing, phased development.
Preliminary earthworks spanning a number of months will commence today (Monday). This will begin with an initial two-week trial period aimed at assessing the movement of trucks into the site. The speed limit on Airport Avenue will be 60km per hour throughout the trial. More than 200,000 cubic metres of fill will be required to develop the site in the first stage.
“We’re asking passengers to leave a little more time to arrive at the airport during the earthworks phase, particularly if you are travelling from the city’s south because trucks will be turning off Sheridan Street onto Airport Avenue,” Mr Barker said.
“I’d like to thank the community for your patience as we work to deliver this critical piece of infrastructure.”
More than 100 full-time jobs will be generated during construction of the precinct, and economic modelling shows up to 400 additional full-time jobs will be created when the precinct is complete.
Luke Bird, General Manager of HEH Civil, the contractors appointed to deliver the preliminary works, said it was fantastic to be involved in the growth of Cairns Airport.
“We’re a local, family-owned and operated company and we can see the significant opportunities that this precinct will provide for our region’s economy, community and long-term liveability,” he said.
“Cairns Airport is the gateway to our region and supports many operators, and hundreds of jobs. Helping to create the foundation of this key infrastructure project is meaningful for us as locals, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Eastern Aviation Precinct come to life.”
Construction of the Eastern Aviation Precinct is expected to cost up to $60 million. In June, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) approved a loan to Cairns Airport, which will contribute to development of the precinct.