UPGRADE FOR THE WHITSUNDAY COAST AIRPORT

In a boost for local tourism operators, the successful bidder to build a new Whitsundays airport will have to upgrade the existing facility first.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas announced the requirement during a visit to the Whitsundays with local Member Jan Jarratt today.

“This will be an excellent step for the Whitsundays, on the road to getting the world-class regional airport it deserves,” said Paul Lucas.

“People won’t have to wait until a new airport is built for the service to improve, the upgrade will make a difference before then.

“We expect there could be in the order of $4 million dollars worth of work to do, to make the airport safe and efficient until a new one is built.”

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the upgrade would boost the local tourism industry and was just the start of much bigger things to come.

“This will ensure the almost 670,000 visitors who pass though the airport each year are transported comfortably and efficiently until the new facility is ready,” said Ms Jarratt.

“The types of upgrades the bidders will look at include work on the runway and taxiways, plus improvements in the terminal, to freshen up seating and facilities and make flying more pleasurable.”

The Deputy Premier said the three short listed bidders to build a new airport had now been asked to submit detailed proposals.

“It made sense to take a little longer and resolve the uncertainty around shale oil mining in a great outcome for the community, instead of moving ahead with the airport while the issue was still hanging around,” said Mr Lucas.

“We’ve written to the three short-listed bidders today advising that their detailed proposals will be required by February, so we can consider them as soon as possible.”

Ms Jarratt said the successful bidder for the new airport is expected to be announced in March 2009.

“All going according to plan we could see work underway early 2010 with the new airport finished by the end of the year,” said Ms Jarratt.

“As one of Queensland’s leading tourist destinations, the Whitsundays deserves to be remembered for all the right reasons and that means having a first class airport.”

There are three groups bidding to develop a new Whitsundays airport

Two of the bidders—Queensland Airports Limited, and a consortium comprising Egis Projects and Seymour Whyte Constructions—propose to build the new airport on the site of the current one.

A third bidder, Laguna Whitsunday Brisbane Airport Corporation Consortium, wants to build the new airport at a greenfield site near Laguna Quays.

Media enquiries: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223