Rockhampton Airport Master Plan revealed

Published on 04 February 2020

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New plans to upgrade and modernise the Rockhampton Airport as part of a major security overhaul have been revealed today.

The Master Plan has been triggered by the Federal Government’s directive to strengthen security measures with the installation of new x-ray body and baggage scanners across regional airports by December 31.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said the necessity to reconfigure the terminal to fit the new screening equipment has created an opportunity to design a Master Plan that will significantly modernise the airport.   

“The Master Plan that we have adopted in principle today will be a staged approach. We have budgeted $7.79 million for the initial stages and we will seek grants to help us deliver future stages,” Mayor Strelow said.  

“In the first stage, we will see considerable improvement with a more spacious ground floor area to cater for the new screening, which is more than three times larger than our existing equipment.

“The departure lounge will absorb additional space devoted to more seating and food and retail outlets will be included in this area which has been a popular customer request.

“Our Airport plays a very important role within the broader region, so this project is crucial to not only revamping the terminal but improving its operational efficiency for council, customers and our stakeholders.”  

Council’s Airport Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said the new terminal design will offer a better experience for domestic passengers, a dedicated FIFO area and can cater for future growth of international passengers as well.

“I have to commend the design - this has been a long time coming and it addresses many of the things we have wanted to improve,” Cr Fisher said.

“The beauty of this design is that the terminal can work in multiple ways, giving the likes of our Singapore Armed Forces charters more flexibility with the scheduling of their flights, and even our FIFO workers a more streamline check-in.

“Having observed what other airports do well, we have been able to incorporate those key functions into our design. It will be very free flowing from the moment you walk into the terminal and check in, to your return and access into the terminal to the baggage collection.

“The design also allows the opportunity for our domestic airlines to set up their premium lounges, which would utilise the vacant airspace above the existing departure lounge.”

The new $4.3 million security equipment will be funded entirely by the Federal Government’s Department of Home Affairs.