Airport Infrastructure

A major project for Port Macquarie Hastings Council, the Port Macquarie Airport Parallel Taxiway is now complete and ready for use.

This was an $8 million project which focused on:

• Improving aviation safety
• Improving efficiency
• Supporting and enhancing our General Aviation service offering

PMHC jointly funded the project through a Federal Government grant from the Regional Airports Program Round 1 Grant.

General Aviation is focused on civil aviation & aircraft other than large-scale passenger or freight operations, which means this new 877m taxiway allows PMHC to better support our local, general aviation users.

The new parallel taxiway and dedicated runup bays will relieve runway congestion by reducing the time general aviation aircraft need to occupy the runway, and ensure that local aircraft can continue their operations safely in conjunction with larger, passenger aircraft.

This is particularly important with the arrival of Bonza whose larger aircraft will begin servicing the airport in April.

The project has been delivered well ahead of time and under budget thanks to the support of our staff, local contractor Building Heights and specialist airport construction company, Airport Consultancy Group.

Example of a similar covered walkway design

Council successfully secured funding through round two of the Regional Airport Program for construction of a 100m covered walkway leading from the Airport terminal, to bays 3 and 4 of the Regular Public Transport (RPT) apron.  The walkway is the finishing touch to the 2019 Airport terminal upgrade project, providing shelter and improving the overall passenger experience, particularly for passengers travelling on the new Bonza service.

The walkway will be designed to accommodate a future array of solar panels.  Construction is due to commence in 2022/23.

Layout of the 100m covered walkway between the terminal and RPT apron bay 3 and 4

Port Macquarie Airport terminal upgrade project was completed in December 2019.  The $10 million upgrade, jointly funded by Federal, State and Council, doubled the size of the previous terminal building facility and provides improved services and functionality.  The project outcomes included:

• an expanded passenger check-in area;
• expanded, air-conditioned departures and arrivals areas, providing enhanced passenger and visitor facilities;
• expanded passenger, carry-on and checked baggage security screening areas, and new passenger screening equipment;
• expanded and improved baggage claim area and facilities;
• upgraded utilities and services infrastructure, including 100kW rooftop solar PV system installed as the final stage in June 2021;
• updated communications and IT facilities and free public Wi-Fi.

The project was delivered ahead of schedule, within 4% of budget, which included additional scope outcomes, and exceeded quality expectations delivering an exceptional outcome for our community.

The new terminal building is central to rebranding the Airport as a contemporary, convenient and comfortable facility, which still provides that renowned personalised, regional service, consistent with the Greater Port Macquarie tourism brand.  

Council completed a $21 million airside infrastructure upgrade at Port Macquarie Airport to underpin our region’s future growth, economic development and tourism potential.

The upgrade marks a significant milestone for the Airport and our local community, with the upgraded runway now providing the capability for up to 180-seat B737 / A320 aircraft for the first time in the Airport’s 60 year history.

The project was supported by $15 million in funding assistance from the Australian Government.

The upgrade represents the 1^st  stage of the implementation of the Airport Master Plan, and involved the upgrade of the airside facilities (runway, taxiway and RPT apron), including:

• strengthening, extending (by 110m to south) and widening the existing main runway 03/21 to 1800 metres long x 45 metres wide;
• expansion of the existing regular public transport (RPT) apron (located in front of the terminal building) to provide additional parking positions for larger aircraft, including a new taxiway connection to the main runway;
• relocation of the helicopter landing and parking area, and general aviation (GA) aircraft parking area; and
• provision of associated infrastructure / facilities (eg runway, taxiway and apron lighting, other visual aids, drainage, line marking etc

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council installed a 100 KWatt rooftop PV solar system on Port Macquarie Airport in June 2021.  The 100kWatt peak system supplies around 450 to 500 kWh of power per day, which is approximately 40 per cent of the terminal's electricity usage. 

In-line with Council’s long term energy strategy, the project was originally conceived as part of the Airport terminal upgrade project, which provided the electrical and structural provisions for future solar panels on the terminal roof.  Funding for the project was provided by the Federal Government in 2020/21, as a COVID recovery initiative under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.