After two years of construction and ten years of planning the $9.2 million Mount Gambier Regional Airport Upgrade is now complete, on time and on budget.
A month ahead of schedule, passengers can enjoy the new layout and design which has improved passenger flow and created more usable public spaces.
The main runway is now 120m longer, and able to service larger aircraft, a brand new heavy aircraft apron can house a larger contingent of fire bombers and other heavy aircraft, and the entire airport precinct has had a full electrical upgrade.
Architect, Ashley Halliday, said the building’s design connected travellers with the region.
“The Mount Gambier Regional Airport is not only a state of the art air transport terminal, it acts as an ambassador for the whole region offering visitors both their first and last impressions.
“It was important to create a charismatic gateway that captured the unique essence of the Limestone Coast Region.”
Member for Barker, Tony Pasin, said the upgrade was a big win for the region.
“I congratulate the District Council of Grant on successfully undertaking this important infrastructure project which will serve the needs of our community long into the future.”
District Council of Grant Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Whicker, said, “From the beginnings of securing the funding right through to this final stage, the project has been collaborative and well executed by all lead contractors and sub-contractors and in particular the staff team behind the scenes.”
“Council can now exclusively reveal that as a result of outstanding project management on the airside works, there was a $640,000 saving which was reallocated to extend the footprint of the terminal providing more floor space and the ability to install access and inclusion friendly amenities for people with a lived experience of disability.
“The $6.2 million terminal has been built with a small team of talented Council staff who formed and maintained an excellent working relationship with Kennett’s [builders] and Ashley Halliday Architects, so again I reinforce it has been a team effort to produce such a successful outcome.”
The Regional Airport Upgrade was jointly funded by the Federal and State governments, District Council of Grant and City of Mount Gambier.
