Paynter Dixon Queensland has won the tender to construct stage 1 of the Whitsunday Coast Airport terminal expansion project at Proserpine.

The $15 million terminal expansion is due to start in April, with completion expected by November.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said more than 20 local sub-contractors and suppliers had shared in a recent $25 million runway upgrade project and the winning terminal tenderer had promised to also utilise local contractors where possible.

“I am proud of our local buy policy which supports regional business and equates to creating jobs for locals,” he said.

“The terminal upgrade project and the runway upgrade will ensure vital airport infrastructure keeps pace with the forecast growth for the Whitsunday Region.

“I thank the Qld State Government for funding the $15 million terminal expansion project. Without their valuable support this project would not have been possible.”

The council’s long-term vision for Whitsunday Coast Airport would see it catering for international flights by long haul aircraft when the demand is there.

“There are a total of five stages of the rolling masterplan for development of the airport complex for the long term future,” Cr Willcox said.

“Each of the staged developments compliments the previous so nothing is being built and then removed,” he said

“The record passenger numbers we are now welcoming means the terminal requires a significant expansion.”

The concept terminal expansion will include:

– 100 new covered car parks and covered walkways to the terminal
– Additional toilets in baggage claim area
– Provision of additional airside toilets in the expanded departure lounge
– Doubling the size of the departure lounge to comfortably accommodate people from two simultaneous flights
– Provision of an additional departure gate.
– Reconfigured and expanded security screening area to allow for a future double lane of security screening
– Relocation of secure departure lounge exit with pass back monitoring and alarm directly into baggage claim area to reduce congestion.
– Additional food and beverage seating areas
– More than double the size baggage claim and arrivals area and adding a second baggage carousel
– Relocation of car rental kiosks into a purpose built car rental offices in the carpark immediately opposite the terminal
– Expansion of the baggage make up to include a makeup loop with two loading positions and bypass lanes to allow for expedient loading of departing aircraft
– Construction of relocated and expanded airport management offices, including an external emergency operations room.