The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Barnaby Joyce, has announced funding for a significant upgrade and expansion of Newcastle Airport’s international passenger terminal.
According to airport CEO Dr Peter Cock, the terminal upgrade is the final piece of the puzzle for the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Central Coast and North Coast regions in their path towards global connectivity.
“I want to sincerely thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the Federal Government for the confidence they have shown in our region,” he said. “Coming on the back of the Government’s A$66m in funding for our airfield in May last year, this additional infrastructure will ensure nothing holds us back from our global potential.
Dr Cock added, “This upgrade is essential to process the long-haul aircraft, which can carry close to 400 passengers – this is an entirely different scale to our domestic fleet, which is closer to 180 passengers.
“We know there is plenty of work ahead, but we’re confident we’ll be connecting to a significant Asian hub by 2024.”
According to the CEO, the new terminal will offer convenience for travellers from the airport’s catchment area who want to fly internationally. But more importantly, he explained, it will drive huge, sustainable economic benefits throughout the region through inbound tourism, and freight related industries, including import and export.
“By providing greater access to the global economy, the upgrade will help generate 850,000 additional visitors, 4,410 jobs and A$12.7bn in economic activity for the Hunter and Northern NSW across the next 20 years.
“This truly is a project of national significance”, Dr Cock said.
Chair of Newcastle Airport Kirby Clark was elated to see the funding delivered after an incredibly challenging time for the business.
“It’s difficult to put into words how important global connectivity is for our airport and the 1.2 million people that it services,” he said. “Measured in purely dollar terms, its huge. But more than that, this will allow our region to aspire to greater things, and to achieve them.”
Newcastle Airport recently appointed Cox architects to design the new terminal. Works on the upgraded airfield are expected to begin in April, with the first terminal works to commence in October.
