Gold Coast Airport (GCA) has today (25th October 2016) released the 2017 Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) for public comment.

Gold Coast Airport currently has more than six million passenger movements per year. By 2037, Gold Coast Airport is forecast to have 16.6 million passenger movements (13.5 million domestic and 3.1 million international passengers).

The PDMP presents detailed concepts for the period covering the next twenty years to the year 2037 including the forecast growth and facilities required to accommodate this growth. The Plan specifically focuses on the development requirements over the next five years.

The PDMP also proposes land use controls and protection in areas adjacent to the airport to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations now and into the future, and includes an assessment of aircraft noise and other potential impacts of the proposed developments on the community. In this respect, it is complementary to current local authority planning provisions and protection provided under the Prescribed Airspace Regulations.

Gold Coast Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, Marion Charlton, said the PDMP established a framework for the future development of Gold Coast Airport.

“The Preliminary Draft Master Plan provides a guide to the development of airport facilities, infrastructure and land uses to meet the future requirements of the aviation industry and the community we serve for the next twenty years.

“It will particularly focus on the development required over the next five years.

“Gold Coast Airport is a significant economic generator for the communities in the South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales regions. Gold Coast Airport also acts as a gateway to the region for domestic and international passengers as well as providing air access for the local community.

“We are committed to working with all our airline partners, the tourism industry and local business to develop the network of routes and services to and from Gold Coast Airport to service the South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales regions,” Ms Charlton said.

A recent economic impact assessment GCA commissioned as part of the Master Plan process revealed over the next five years GCA’s direct operations contribution to the region of $818 million. By 2037 it is anticipated that contribution will grow to $2.3 billion to the region.

“We are taking a proactive approach to delivering world class aviation facilities with an integrated ground transport system that considers the road network, parking, public transport and pedestrian and cycling access to create a dynamic transport hub for the region.

The PDMP is a key document that is used as a guide for the:

• ‍Development of airport facilities for both aviation and non-aviation uses;
• ‍Assessment of the environmental effects of airport activities including construction and operation of airport facilities;
• ‍Development of land use control for areas surrounding the airport;
• ‍Establishment of airport access requirements.

GCA will host a series of community drop-in sessions as part of the public consultation period for the 2017 Preliminary Draft Master Plan.

The public consultation period, which commenced today, will run for 60-business days, during which six community drop-in sessions will occur.

“These sessions are a great opportunity for the community to ask questions on a one-on-one basis with our staff.

“GCA prides itself on working closely with community, government, stakeholders and industry members to deliver an airport that will meet the region’s needs over time,” Ms Charlton said.

The PDMP is available on the Gold Coast Airport website for download and public submissions are now being received.

Once the public consultation period closes, submissions received from the community will be addressed in a revised Draft Master Plan and submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development for final approval.

The first of the drop-in sessions will be held Tuesday 8 November at Kingscliff Community Centre, from 2:00pm-5:00pm (NSW time).

Master Plan community information session details: