Works underway for longer runway

WITH the next stage of construction starting for the extension of the Ballarat Airport runway, one of the site’s major roads is being closed until June to allow for the development.

Airport Road will be cut off to allow for an extra 555 metres to be added to the runway’s current length of more than 1200 metres.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said the project is part of a plan to make the site a more modern facility.

“The Ballarat Airport has a strong history as a facility that has adapted to the needs of the community over the years and is an important strategic and economic asset for our region,” he said.

“The extension of our runway is an important first stage of a long-term plan which will ultimately enable a range of new aviation-based opportunities.”

Traffic detours were put in place on Saturday and are expected to last until Saturday, 10 June, which will divert people to Sunraysia Drive, and McCartneys, Highfield, and Hopetoun roads.

Municipality staff and contractors Fulton Hogan have coordinated the development as a staged construction to limit traffic interruptions at Airport Road.

Following stage two of the extension, a new road called Liberator Drive is set to be constructed by Development Victoria south of the new runway to serve as a permanent replacement access road.

Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the project’s completion will be a boost for the community.

“The Ballarat Airport generates over $10 million in output each year, supporting jobs and the local economy,” she said.

“The airport supports a wide mix of activities including general and recreational aviation, emergency services operations and community hubs such as the Ballarat Aviation Museum.

“We know exactly how vital all of these services are for the Ballarat community and for businesses, which is why the Australian Government is proudly putting in the funding needed to make this runway extension a reality.”

The track lengthening is being funded with $5 million from the municipality and nearly $4 million from the Federal Government as part of a three-stage project aimed at revamping the airport.

It is expected to be complete by the end of the year, with flights to be unaffected by construction.

There is no confirmed timeline on when Liberator Drive will be opened.