• Albury Airport Master Plan 2018 Prepared for Albury City Council FINAL DRAFT June 2018 Reference No: TAG990 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Albury Airport Master Plan 2018 presents a plan for the airport with a 15-year planning horizon. The Master Plan has been developed based on a culmination of desktop review and research, stakeholder engagement, conceptual design, and engagement of expertise to produce forecasting, noise contours, and cost estimates. This Master Plan is supported by several key documents, including a Car Park Study; Terminal Study; Freight Study; ANEF Report; and Forecast Report. The aim of this Master Plan is to safeguard the development of ABX and make recommendations for future operations, taking into consideration the role of the airport and the commitment of Albury City Council (ACC) to drive the economic and social development for the Albury-Wodonga region. This 15-year Master Plan is designed to ensure the airport has capacity to grow and develop to meet regional demand and capitalise on its economic development potential. The key objectives of this master plan are to: • Provide an overview of the current regulatory context of the airport; • Outline the existing activities and facilities at the airport; • Forecast air traffic demand for the next 15 years; • Maintain the ability for RPT, GA, and emergency services aircraft to operate safely; • Facilitate the ability for the airport to grow and expand in response to the regional demand; • Safeguard the long-term plans of Albury City for the airport and nearby areas; • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations; and • Develop an implementation plan to meet future capacity needs. The strategic vision for Albury Airport is: ABX is striving to be the leading regional airport in Australia and seeks to amplify the growth and prosperity of the region by connecting our community and businesses to the world. The vision for Albury Airport is underpinned by the following objectives: • Adopt a holistic and contemporary 15-year Master Plan for Albury Airport; • Ensure accessibility for the community and wider region; • Provide for the future of Albury Wodonga through facilitating the safe operation of the airport; • Enable opportunities for growth in passenger, general aviation, and critically important emergency services at Albury Airport; • Ensure Albury Airport supports the Albury 2030 Community Plan; • Develop the airport in a manner which accommodates future forecast growth; • Support growth of strategic transport services in the region; • Appropriately safeguard the airport in relation to new land use and development surrounding ABX; and • Maintain strong existing community relationships through the implementation of the Albury Aviation Strategy and Marketing Plan as well as the Master Plan. The airport has potential to capitalise on its key role in the region through the ongoing accommodation of regular public transport services, as well as integral general aviation and emergency services operations. The throughput of the airport is forecast to increase steadily of the 15-year planning period, with a diverse and sound passenger base supporting it. General aviation is also forecast to grow steadily, and while freight capacity will increase, the throughput of freight is forecast to remain reasonably stagnant. This Master Plan identifies that the current terminal (post expansion project) will have a sufficient footprint to meet the growing needs of Albury Airport in the near future. Some investment is required in taxiways and aprons, however minimal investment is required in the runway in the short term. The car park capacity at Albury Airport will be reached within the period of this master plan and strategies for how this may be addressed are outlined. Five key precincts are presented in this Master Plan: Airside Precinct, Terminal Precinct, Northern Precinct, Western Precinct, and the South-Eastern Precinct. Each of these precincts has distinct recommended land uses Albury City Council Albury Airport Final Draft Master Plan 2018 i which are appropriate for their location in relation to the airport operations. The ongoing safe operation of the airport is of the utmost importance in every precinct outlined. Several key steps are outlined in the Implementation Plan within the Short (0-2 years); Medium (2-10 years); and Long (10+ years) term. These steps are categorised into the relevant precincts and are supported by Marketing and Business Development implementation stages. Costing presented following the Implementation Plan outline the cost associated with the major infrastructure projects forecast at Albury Airport. Significant investment is required by ACC to realise the potential of all the precinct plans, however this remains subject to market demand and feasibility. This Master Plan identifies a range of projects and strategies to underpin the airport’s future growth. It provides a plan for the Airport that will provide the best opportunity to enhance its position in the region and goal of becoming Australia’s leading regional airport. Recommendations and implementation The following table outlines the key recommendations made in this master plan, including an overview of the proposed implementation timeframe and costing estimates (where appropriate). The table below provides an overview only and the complete implementation and costing detail is outlined in section 11 and section 12. Recommendation Indicative Cost Section timing estimates reference 1 TAG recommends ACC review the passenger and Ongoing N/A 8.1.1 aircraft movement forecast annually to consider alignment with actual figures, and to produce a new forecast every five years, unless the forecast is found to be significantly different to actual figures prior. If a significant deviation is found, the terminal peak period calculation should be reviewed and revised to ensure the operation of the terminal is safeguarded for the future and that investment can occur in a timely, cost efficient manner. 2 Assuming forecast figures align with actual Medium term N/A 8.1.1 movements, TAG recommends ACC review the terminal functional area expansion requirements holistically again in the medium term (in the next two to 10 years). 3 ACC should establish a concept for future layout of Medium term N/A 8.1.1 cargo and baggage make up areas which is more efficient, based on area and processing requirements as well as airport management preferences. 4 The security checkpoint and queuing area will likely Ongoing N/A 8.1.1 be constrained within the master planning period based on the forecast peak period. ACC should adopt operational measures to mitigate expansion requirements where required. 5 ACC may consider the use of terminal facilities for Ongoing N/A 8.1.1 other uses during off peak period, such as functions in the café, to better utilise the terminal and revenue opportunities in off peak periods. 6 TAG recommends that ACC investigate alternative Short term N/A 8.1.1 layout or locations for freight handling facilities to increase efficiency and reduce existing constraints. 7 The existing area and functionality of the charter air N/A N/A 8.1.1 freight operations is sufficient for current and forecast future operations. Albury City Council Albury Airport Final Draft Master Plan 2018 ii 8 ACC should maintain the runway at ABX in good Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 condition and continue to protect the required strip width for a 30m wide runway. 9 TAG recommends that ACC regularly engage with Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 airlines to understand their planned design aircraft to/from ABX. Any changes in operating aircraft. 10 ACC should safeguard the full potential length of the Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 runway for future expansion if/or when required. 11 ACC should ensure the runway ends remain Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 obstacle free, both within and outside the airport, through planning controls. 12 ACC should monitor and continually review any Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 proposed changes to regulations, particularly for narrow runway operations, to ensure preparedness. 13 The surfaces of the high strength taxiway system TWY A and E: $814,949 8.1.2 (TWY A, B and E) at ABX be re-shaped and Short term strengthened. It is recommended that priority be given to the upgrades for TWY A and E as TWY B is in a better condition. TWY B: $1,043,496 Medium term 14 TWY C should be upgraded to a Code C taxiway Short term $3,823,170 8.1.2 with a width of 15m to accommodate future Code C and design aircraft use. 15 ACC may, in conjunction with AsA, prepare an Short term N/A 8.1.2 airfield capacity study of ABX to identify constraints and possible mitigation measures in the short term to limit any impacts that the constraints of not having a parallel taxiway has on operations. 16 The implementation plan has allowed for a two-stage Stage 1: Stage 1: 8.1.2 expansion and strengthening process for TWY C, Short term Included in 13. with a long-term completion period (10+ years) planned for the full parallel extension to a code 4C Stage 2: Stage 2: capability. Long term $2,796,148 TAG recommends that a detailed cost-benefit study should be prepared for the provision of the TWY C extension to review the proposed staging options and consider the potential for construction as a single project, and the associated costs. 17 TAG recommends that ACC review the condition of Ongoing N/A 8.1.2 the general aviation taxiways at ABX on a regular basis and reseal wearing surfaces as required. 18 The RPT aircraft parking apron should be extended Medium term $1,215,517 8.1.2 to accommodate up to six parking positions in the future peak period. 19 A pavement overlay should be undertaken on the Medium term $2,608,744 8.1.2 RPT apron to restore shape and retain the water seal.