Charters Towers Airport Master Plan (Adopted: 19 November 2014)
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Charters Towers Airport Master Plan (Adopted: 19 November 2014) Charters Towers Regional Council PO Box 189 CHARTERS TOWERS QLD 4820 PHONE: 07 4761 5300 FAX: 07 4761 5548 EMAIL: [email protected] Contents Document Control …………………………………………………………………………………... 3 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4 Background ....................................................................................................................... 4 Location ............................................................................................................................. 4 Regional Planning Context ................................................................................................ 5 Economic Development Context........................................................................................ 6 Strategic Direction ................................................................................................................. 6 Aviation Demand Forecasts .................................................................................................. 7 Development Constraints ...................................................................................................... 8 Existing Infrastructure and Facilities ...................................................................................... 9 Aircraft Movement Areas ..................................................................................................... 10 Runway 06/24 ................................................................................................................. 10 Runway 01/19 ................................................................................................................. 10 Taxiways ......................................................................................................................... 10 Apron .............................................................................................................................. 10 Helicopter Facilities ......................................................................................................... 10 Aviation Support Facilities ................................................................................................... 10 Refuelling Facilities.......................................................................................................... 10 Ground Support - Storage Areas ..................................................................................... 10 Navigation and Approach Aids ........................................................................................ 10 Weather Information Service ........................................................................................... 10 Rescue and Fire-fighting Services ................................................................................... 10 Reporting and Safety Inspections .................................................................................... 11 Passenger Facilities ............................................................................................................ 11 Passenger Terminal ........................................................................................................ 11 Car Parking ..................................................................................................................... 11 Car/Vehicle Storage ........................................................................................................ 11 Ground Transport Systems ................................................................................................. 11 Access Roads ................................................................................................................. 11 Hire Car ........................................................................................................................... 11 Financial Reporting.......................................................................................................... 12 Future development ............................................................................................................ 12 Consultation Timeline …………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Page | 2 Charters Towers Airport Master Plan Adopted by Council 19 November 2014 Document Control Amendment Control The Charters Towers Airport Master Plan is a controlled document. The controller of the document is the Charters Towers Regional Council Director Utilities and Facilities (D U&F). Any proposed amendments to this plan should be forwarded in writing to: Director Utilities and Facilities Charters Towers Regional Council PO Box 189 CHARTERS TOWERS QLD 4820 The D U&F (Director Utilities and Facilities) may approve inconsequential amendments to this document. Any changes to the intent of the document must be approved and endorsed by the Charters Towers Regional Council. The amendment is to be inserted into the document, and the Amendment Register is to be updated and signed. Amendment Register Document the history of amendments to the plan Amendment Plan Updated No/Ref Issue Date Inserted by Date Page | 3 Charters Towers Airport Master Plan Adopted by Council 19 November 2014 Introduction Background The first land tenures over what is now recognised as the Airport land (hereinafter referred to as Precinct) were Goldfield Homestead Leases 105, 107, 108, 109, 113 and 114, each containing forty (40) acres. That whole precinct was known locally by the name “Corinda” and on MHL’s 2353 and 2354 (centre of plan DV303) was located a very large Queenslander built by the Francis family. That building, pre WWI was the Corinda Hotel, which was eventually destroyed by fire. The Defence Department acquired the land in the early years of WWII and the aboriginal camp disappeared and the James family relocated to town and onto their remaining lands to the west of Axford Road. Airstrips were quickly established in 1942 and the precinct was used by the American 5th Air Force during WWII years. Ownership of the Charters Towers Airport transferred to Council in May 1971. Council used the last remaining WWII igloo building as a Workshop until it was destroyed in a windstorm in 1987. A new workshop (current Council Airport Depot) was built soon after. After WWII and up until Council acquired the Airport in 1971, the strip was used by private plane owners, commercial airlines (e.g. TAA) and others. The airstrip has continued in use since Council assumed ownership. The Charters Towers Airport is ideally situated to capitalise on an opportunity to develop into a transport and freight aviation centre for North Queensland due to the increase in passenger transport in Townsville. Location The Airport is located to the north east of the city of Charters Towers. The main strip runs generally WSW/ENE. A disused strip also remains insitu running generally in a SSW/NNE direction. The precinct is situated on gently undulating country which drains via two creek systems into Sheepstation Creek and then into the Burdekin River downstream of the Weir catchment area. Being 280 metres above sea level and at the headwaters of two (2) small creek systems, the precinct is flood proof. The precinct, apart from some “remnant of least concern” vegetation located along the drainage systems, is relatively vegetation free. Page | 4 Charters Towers Airport Master Plan Adopted by Council 19 November 2014 Regional Planning Context North Queensland 2031 Plan – Economic and Infrastructure Framework The North Queensland 2031 Plan identifies the region’s competitive strengths, growth drivers and the role and outlook of each local government area (including Charters Towers) in supporting and facilitating economic development. The infrastructure baseline analysis provides an overview of key economic infrastructure supporting the region and its economy, as well as the significant challenges that may impede the economic development of the region. Airports and aerodromes are included. The North Queensland Vision to 2031 is: North Queensland will experience sustainable economic and population growth, becoming a nationally competitive and diversified economy and a preferred lifestyle choice for visitors and skilled workers. Regional Airport development considerations Townsville Airport has released a Master Plan outlining a concept for the development of the airport site over the next 20 years. Numerous existing airstrips throughout the region assist with the servicing of regional agricultural and mining communities. Council considers the development of a Master Plan integral for the guidance of future development of the precinct The NQ 2031 approach to future development as outlined below is pertinent to future development of the Charters Towers Airport: Page | 5 Charters Towers Airport Master Plan Adopted by Council 19 November 2014 Economic Development Context The Charters Towers Regional Council Economic Development Plan identifies a number of key strategies for Economic Development for the Charters Towers Region including strategies relating to the Airport as follows:- Build the Opportunity for Charters Towers to be the Major Service Centre to Rural North Queensland Airport Area Plan / Strategy The Charters Towers Airport is an underutilised asset with significant potential for expansion and with significant available land for synergistic developments. The opportunities and constraints to development of this area should