Major airport expansion for Brisbane approved by govt

Saturday, 21 June 2008

The 3600 metre runway will be built two kilometres west and parallel to the existing main runway, extending into Moreton Bay — at a cost of approximately A$1 billion.

The new development is expected to take up to eight years to complete.

BAC’s managing director and chief executive 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 2700 jobs during construction, injecting up to A$5 billion per annum into the local economy plus creating a further 7800 jobs by 2035.
“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,” he said.