Narrabri Airport could look vastly different in the years and decades to come if Narrabri Shire Council chooses to adopt elements from a new masterplan.
The plan, which will now go on public exhibition, identifies short, medium and long-term development opportunities and scenarios.
Included as part of the study was a concept of a new terminal capable of operating at a code four, similar to Tamworth Airport.
This terminal could include extra check-in counters, passenger screening, baggage claim and arrivals hall, large departures lounge and additional facilities.
Such a facility could cost between $12.5-$17.5 million, the plan compiled by Aviation Projects states. Factoring in all elements of the study, and the cost of the short to long-term components, the entire upgrade including extensive runway works could total in excess of $100 million.
Mayor Darrell Tiemens clarified at last week’s council meeting that while the masterplan has provided various costings and options, it does not mean council will spend millions of dollars on an airport upgrade.
“Every time there’s a masterplan, people think that we’re going ahead with it and that we have the money and we’re going to spend it and so the alarm bells go off and people think we’re spending a huge amount of money on these types of things,” Cr Tiemens said.
“What we try and do with these masterplans is to set in train that planning for 10, 20, 30 years down into the future so that at least we start having shovel-ready projects for when grants become available.”
Council’s finance director Ted Harrington echoed similar sentiments and told the meeting the plan takes into account every conceivable possibility in terms of security and passenger movements.
The plan, and potential airport development, is scaleable depending on what the shire’s needs may be.
Short-term possibilities include a new terminal building, larger car park, modification of the internal road network and stage one of an aviation hangar precinct.
Medium-term options include the above plus stage two of an aviation hangar precinct and new parallel taxiway and apron.
A long-term scenario could also see significant upgrades and strengthening of the runway, an additional taxiway and apron, realignment of Airport Road and stage three of an aviation precinct.
“This is going to come back to additional briefing sessions with council, and obviously additional council meetings. This is not fait accompli,” Cr Tiemens said.
Interim general manager Eloise Chaplain also made clear that council was not embarking on an enormous airport upgrade costing $100 million.
“That is not happening. I just want to make sure that you know, as Ted has described, it is a masterplan,” Mrs Chaplain said.
“So, first it is thinking of everything that’s possibly to be perceived out at the airport, and then scaling it back to exactly what we want.
“It’s really important that the public make comments on this master plan so we can prioritise the correct sections.
“In terms of that stage 1, 2 and 3, within stage 1 there might be five different sections that we do.
“From here we need feedback, and then we go back and have a look and really piece out exactly what parts we need to do and build a project plan of that.
“Stage 3 being that code 4, which is full security the same as Tamworth. We may never get there.
“But we need to think about it and put it in a plan so we don’t cut out or limit ourselves in the future.”
Cr Tiemens implored councillors and also members of the public to think very carefully and read through the document. Cr Tiemens also acknowledged that the Narrabri Place Strategy is designed to allow the town to have an additional 2100 homes within 20 years.
“That’s a lot of homes. So, just think about the type of airport we need in the future. It’s not saying we’re locked into that.
“It’s just saying we need to have the vision, we need to have the foresight to look at that. And it’s very important that we consider all that.
“So, I’d really encourage everyone to comment, read it, and make the constructive critique of those particular ideas.”
Cr Greg Lamont moved that council endorse the masterplan for public exhibition. This was seconded by Cr Brett Nolan.
“The reason why I moved it, Mr Mayor, is it’s a dream that we can aim for, and planning’s all about having a strategy in place,” Cr Lamont said.
“And when you get the money, it fits in with everything you’ve said and the staff have said.
“I thought it was a brilliant workshop. The staff and the consultant did a great job.”
Cr Tiemens concluded discussion on the matter saying he doesn’t think this council has ever had the appetite, like some other councils, to adopt a huge amount of debt.
“I think that’s one of the reasons our council’s in a fairly healthy financial situation,” Cr Tiemens said.
“We don’t want to go into tens and tens and tens of millions of dollars worth of debt just to get an airport that makes us feel happy.”
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