Twenty year grand plans for Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport wants a hotel as part of a host of redevelopments during the next 20 years. See what’s planned.

A hotel, new shops and food outlets as well as a bigger departure lounge and terminal are all potentially on the cards at Townsville Airport.

A plan looking 20 years into the airport’s future is open for public consultation, and notes annual passenger numbers could increase from 1.5 million to 3.7m in the next two decades.

Townsville Airport general manager Brendan Cook said the airport contributed $400m to the regional economy each year, as a “crucial gateway” for trade and trade as well as social and economic growth.

The plan was a framework to support the predicted 38 per cent population increase to 325,000, he said. Currently, the airport sees about 400 flights per week.

The current configuration of Townsville Airport land, between the Department of Defence, Townsville Airport Pty Ltd, and shared space.

“As our passenger numbers continue to grow, so does the region we support, and now is the time to invest in infrastructure, ensuring we are in a position to support predicted passenger growth,” Mr Cook said.

The plan proposes expansions to the terminal, departure lounge and aviation infrastructure, but also guides development opportunities on the land surrounding the terminal.

Big ticket potential items in the plan include expanding the terminal to about 20,000 sqm, increasing the car park to 1300 car parks and re-establishing the existing international passenger facility; all proposed to happen by 2031.

International flights peaked in 2017, with 450 flights carrying about 50,000 passengers.

The proposed hotel could be used primarily to sell liquor for consumption and may include short-term accommodation, dining and entertainment activities and facilities, it says in the draft plan.

Proposed 20-year expansion plans for Townsville Airport.

Further on the horizon, by 2043, could be further runway and apron extensions and establishing a potential location for public buses.

The Northern Australian Aerospace Centre Excellence precinct would also get further development to “accelerate aviation innovation” in North Queensland, Mr Cook said.

Planning would “deliver modern aviation facilities with an integrated ground transport system to create a dynamic hub for the region.”

Included in the proposals are environmental interests as well; 58 per cent more energy efficient LEDs in the terminal, a 30kw solar panel system and electric vehicle, Mr Cook said.

Public consultation on the master plan is open until June.

There will be a public meeting about the plan at Mercure Townsville, at 12pm April 19.

Originally published as Twenty year grand plans for Townsville Airport