Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport: $20m upgrade supports growth and jobs to 2040
Northern NSW’s busiest airport will support growth to 900,000 passengers by 2040, as well as local jobs, after its latest $20 million upgrade.
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The Northern NSW region’s busiest airport is open for more business after completing a cool $20.68 million worth of upgrades including revamping its runway.
The Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport can now support expected growth of up to 900,000 passengers by 2040.
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Manager Julie Stewart said strengthening this important piece of airport infrastructure would extend the runway’s lifespan by up to 10 years.
“Each year, our busy regional airport supports about 635,000 commercial passengers. This is expected to increase to over 900,000 by 2040,” Ms Stewart said.
“Our airport is a key gateway for visitors to the beautiful Northern Rivers region, but the airport is also essential to support emergency service aircraft during regional disasters.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development Minister Catherine King said since the grant was awarded, the airport has supported a record-breaking number of flights following the pandemic and is exceeding passenger numbers prior to Covid.
Works involved overlaying the existing runway surface, replacing the visual approach slope indicator system and improving the runway edge lighting using more energy efficient LED lights.
This comes after a decision was made not to widen the runway.
The project involved adding an 80mm trapezoidal grooving to the tarmac for increased pavement life expectancy, enhanced drainage capacity, improved skid resistance and safety in wet weather.
It will reduce the risk of foreign object debris and reduce tyre wear and rubber build-up, while
15,000 tonnes of new asphalt was also laid on the runway to upgrade the surface and extend the runway’s lifespan.
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said this upgrade had supported 186 jobs during construction and has now created 74 ongoing jobs to support the local economy.
The construction of a new entrance road to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is also now complete.
This new road will unlock future industrial land in the Southern Cross Industrial Estate.
Airport Boulevard provides an impressive entrance to the airport and will connect the future proposed expansion of the Southern Cross Industrial Estate.
The new carpark includes 650 carparking spaces, automated boom gates with number plate recognition, shade sails for the new premium parking area and a new solar PV system to support the airport’s energy needs.
Emergency support aircraft will benefit from the upgraded runway as they continue to service the Northern Rivers region.
Emergency aircraft were used across the region during the flood response twice in early 2022 and bushfire response in 2019 and late 2023.
The project cost was $20.68 million, $5.5 million was funded by the Federal Government, the remaining $15 million was funded by Ballina Shire Council.
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