Adelaide Airport releases Draft Master Plan

Adelaide Airport has released its 2014 Preliminary Draft Master Plan, highlighting its plans for growth, jobs creation and sustainable economic development over the next 20 years.

Adelaide Airport continues to grow as a major economic and employment generator in South Australia and over the next two decades plans to double the $2 billion it already contributes annually to the State economy.

Over the next five years, the Master Plan envisages approximately $1 billion in on-airport investment and the creation of a further 3,500 new jobs, which will take the airport’s total on-site workforce to more than 12,000. The airport will also continue to welcome more airlines and cater for more flights to more destinations domestically and internationally.

Potential infrastructure projects over the next five years include a hotel, expansion of the southern end of the main terminal, expansion of the international arrivals hall, additional international arrival gates, expanding the main security check point, and more retail space and airline lounges. Construction of a new general aviation terminal is also being considered.

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young, said Adelaide Airport had recorded strong growth in aviation and infrastructure development since the previous master plan in 2009.

“Adelaide Airport has consistently been Australia’s fastest growing capital city airport, with more than 7.6 million passengers passing through the terminal in the past year,” Mr Young said.

“Over the past five years we’ve built a multi-level car park, a new plaza with retail space and other amenities, supported Airservices Australia’s construction of a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and have invested in the capacity of our airfield.

“We anticipate ongoing international passenger growth of 5.8 per cent and domestic growth of 4.1 per cent per annum over the next 20 years.

“As a major economic and employment generator, the growth of Adelaide Airport is inextricably linked to the development of South Australia.  It’s vital we plan and commit to appropriate levels of infrastructure to stay ahead of this growth and maintain our reputation as one of Australia’s most modern airports.

“It’s also essential we look beyond our borders and look to fulfil our vision to become a top tier business centre in the Asia Pacific region.”

Mr Young said any airport growth had to be balanced with the views of the community and with taking a sustainable approach to development.

“With this growth comes the responsibility to ensure any airport development is compatible with surrounding land uses and considerations of the community and stakeholders,” Mr Young said.

“The Master Plan is just one part of our ongoing consultation with the community. Adelaide Airport was one of the first airports in Australia to set up regular interaction with resident, business, government and stakeholder representatives to discuss all aspects of our operations, including aviation infrastructure, landside infrastructure, aircraft noise, land use, ground transport and the environment.

“Ultimately, this Preliminary Draft Master Plan seeks to provide, to the best of our current knowledge and forecasts, clarity and certainty on growing and developing Adelaide Airport in a well-planned and logical manner, which is consistent with our central role in the development of the State as a key infrastructure asset.”

The PDMP is on public display until October 2014. Adelaide Airport encourages written comments from the community either via email to aamasterplan@aal.com.au or by post addressed to ‘Adelaide Airport Master Plan, Adelaide Airport Limited, 1 James Schofield Drive, Adelaide Airport SA 5950’.

For public meeting dates and to view the Draft Master Plan please visit www.adelaideairport.com.au.

Once Adelaide Airport has reviewed comments on the PDMP, a revised Draft Master Plan will be prepared and submitted to the Federal Minster for Infrastructure and Regional Development for consideration later in 2014.

Further Information: Tim Hughes at Hughes Public Relations on (08) 8412 4100 or 0417 788 891