Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project by Ross Ullman

Abstract

This paper will provide an account of the planning and delivery of a complex project to deliver a new 2450 m minimum length, 45 m wide runway together with connecting taxiways and new apron stands capable of accommodating twin engine wide bodied aircraft that have become the favoured fleet aircraft of the medium and long haul international carriers. This project is quite unique in many ways from the innovative funding model, through the stringent environmental requirements associated with construction on a coastal wetland utilising marine sand transported ashore with nearly 3 trillion litres of seawater, to the recently emerged PFAS contamination issue associated with the use of Aqueous Film-forming Foam with some White Spot Virus thrown in for good measure. The paper will outline the details associated with the infrastructure delivered, the timeframe and achievements and will provide insight into the many challenges identified and overcome throughout the journey. The author will also touch on the consultation process associated with the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement which was a requirement of the project approval process under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1991 (Qld) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth). This project is a landmark project which will shape and support the Sunshine Coast Regional economy and provide for its aviation requirements for several decades to come. It represents the largest project delivered by any regional local authority in Australia.