Cairns Airport welcomes Land Use Plan approval

Cairns Airport welcomes today’s announcement by the State Government that it has approved the Cairns Airport Land Use Plan.

Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said the Land Use Plan enables Cairns Airport to continue to develop to meet future demands of the aviation industry and provides the development framework necessary to ensure the airport continues to play its integral role in the prosperity of Far North Queensland.

“The Land Use Plan allows us to build on the 30,000 jobs and $2.5 billion of value added revenue the airport currently generates per year for the regional economy,” Mr Brown said.

“It gives Cairns Airport’s owners the confidence to make major investments in development projects that will underpin this growth and provide opportunities for us to diversify the airport business mix and bring unique new business to the region.

“A $1 billion redevelopment of Cairns Airport proposed over the next 20 years will ensure it continues to evolve as Australia’s Gateway to Asia Pacific and provides the infrastructure vital for regional development.

“The key proposed project for Cairns Airport is the Aviation Economic Precinct planned for the eastern side of the runway. This is a long term, staged project that that focuses on our vision for Cairns Airport.

“The Aviation Economic Precinct will provide the aviation sector with opportunities to establish new operations or grow existing operations, generating significant flow-on effects through investment attraction, employment and skills development opportunities and contribution to the regional economy.

“It will provide a framework through which the life of the existing runway can be extended by reducing the need for runway crossings and, with significant investment, by extending taxiways and entry/exit points.

“It is important to understand that the Land Use Plan provides a framework only, identifying the rights of use for various areas of the airport land holdings. It is not a development proposal or application in itself.

“I would like to reassure people with concerns about the Land Use Plan that Cairns Airport:

• WILL NOT be building a second runway any time in the foreseeable future.
• DOES NOT wish to remove general aviation activity from the airport.

“We will continue to work with all levels of government, business, industry and the community to achieve our vision for Cairns Airport and look forward to sharing the benefits with the region and the future generations who live in this unique part of the world.”