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$1 billion New Parallel Runway
– jobs and economy take off18 September 2007
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Australian Government, through the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon. Mark Vaile and the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, approving plans (subject to conditions) for the development of a New Parallel Runway (NPR) for Brisbane Airport.
The government approval follows its assessment of an Environmental Impact Statement and Major Development Plan for the $1 billion project, which was the subject of a robust and inclusive two-year public engagement period.
BAC’s Managing Director and CEO, Koen Rooijmans, said the company was currently assessing the approval conditions, but the Government’s decision to allow the project to proceed was a positive outcome that would deliver far-reaching benefits to the South East Queensland community and economy.
“Brisbane Airport is a vital transport hub and it is critical for its infrastructure and facilities to keep pace with escalating passenger and freight demands as the region’s population and economy grows.
“Through the NPR we will be able to respond to this growth, at the same time creating around 2,700 jobs during construction and injecting up to $5 billion per annum into the local economy and a further 7,800 jobs by 2035.
“This money will flow directly into the hands of local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, cafes, newsagents and specialty retailers within South East Queensland,” Mr Rooijmans said.
He said this strong boost for the economy would come on the back of growth in passenger numbers.
“Overall passenger numbers at Brisbane Airport are expected to grow from 17.5 million in 2006/07 to over 25 million by 2014/15 and to around 50 million by 2035.”
Mr Rooijmans said the government approval was just the first stage in what would be an estimated eight-year program to bring the new runway on line by around 2015.
“Dependent on the planning process, we expect to start site preparation works during 2009.
“We anticipate that at least 70% of the materials and resources required for the project will be sourced from within South East Queensland and this will also be a significant boost for the local economy,” Mr Rooijmans said.
From an environmental perspective, Mr Rooijmans said the government approval meant that BAC could lock in the airport’s Biodiversity Zone, an area of conservation habitat on airport that was twice the size of Brisbane’s CBD.
“Around 285 hectares, or 10%, of on-Airport land will be set aside as habitat to support important species like the Lewin’s Rail and Grass Owl, which are compatible with safe airport operations.
“This is a positive outcome from an environmental perspective and serves to underline our ability to balance social, economic and environmental outcomes while delivering a project that is essential to the region and its community.”
He said the additional runway would mean changes to flight paths into and out of Brisbane.
“Based on extensive modeling we have been able to deliver a significant quantity of information to the community about the flight paths and expected noise effects already, and we will continue our dialogue with the community on this aspect of the NPR operation as we move towards project commissioning.”
He said the NPR was the centrepiece of a 10-year, $2.2 billion investment in capacity-related infrastructure.
“There are a significant number of projects currently underway at the Airport including new roads, terminal expansions and the delivery of facilities such as car parks and commercial precincts.
“The government approval of the NPR enables us to reassure the people of Brisbane, that their Airport will be ready to meet the significant challenges of growth over coming years,” Mr Rooijmans said.
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