Airservices opens new Broome air traffic control and aviation fire station

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP has opened a new combined air traffic control tower and aviation rescue fire station at Broome Airport – the first facility of its type in Australia.

Airservices Acting Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Clark, said the $20 million multi-purpose facility ensures the continued safe management of air traffic at and around the airport and the provision of aviation fire and rescue services in the event of an emergency.

“With a significant increase in aircraft movements in the north-west, this facility is a demonstration of our commitment to provide safe, efficient air traffic operations in the region well into the future,” said Mr Clark.

Standing at just over 16 metres high, the air traffic control tower is fitted out with the latest air traffic surveillance and communications technology including state-of-the-art touch screens at the controller’s consoles. Featuring eight panes of 40mm thick glass, each weighing 600kg, the new tower is the first which Airservices has opened in 15 years.

The facility includes two vehicle bays and a maintenance bay which house three Rosenbauer Mk8 ultra-large fire vehicles valued at $1 million each. A Fire Control Centre is located in an observation tower overlooking the airport and is equipped with the latest communications and monitoring technology.

“The new tower enhances safety and efficiency by providing controllers with better airfield views and more modern equipment. The fire station ensures our aviation fire fighters are better able to respond to any incident within minutes,” said Mr Clark.

Taking 14 months to design and build, the facility is constructed from structural steel, colorbond and compressed fibre cement sheeting and is designed to withstand Category 4 cyclones. The facility also includes rain water collection for landscape irrigation.

About 60 per cent of contractors were employed from the local Broome community, supported by specialist contractors flown to Broome from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

Airservices is investing $942 million over the next five years on updating and rebuilding its infrastructure including air traffic control towers and fire stations.