The Sunshine Coast Council has awarded the contract for the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion project, with work now underway.
The Airport Expansion Project construction contract, which is worth around $225 million, has been awarded to the John Holland Group, following an extensive assessment period that involved five high-calibre proponents.
The contract will see John Holland Group construct a new, 2450m x 45m main runway as designed by Beca Consultants during the design phase.
The expansion project will open up the region to the world and the project remains on track for completion by Christmas 2020.
“This is the biggest construction project delivered by Sunshine Coast Council and I know it’s one that has been long awaited by our community, the tourism industry and local businesses,” Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson said.
“The new runway will accommodate larger, more fuel efficient aircraft and open up direct access for the Sunshine Coast to more Australian cities, international markets in Asia and the Western Pacific, and in turn, drive significant economic growth.
“The Airport Expansion project will contribute $4.1 billion to the local economy over the period to 2040, generate around 2230 jobs in our community, help boost tourism, enable visitors from many locations to gain direct access to the region and support our local export businesses – particularly those operating in the food and agribusiness sectors – to access new markets.
“With this project now entering its major construction phase, the sky’s the limit on the Sunshine Coast.”
John Holland Group Chief Executive Officer, Joe Barr, said the company had extensive experience working on airport projects and was excited to partner with the Sunshine Coast Council to support the region’s continued growth.
“The Sunshine Coast is a magnificent part of the world and we are pleased to be part of the journey on this significant project for the future of the region.
“We already have an association with the region, having delivered the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital a few years ago, and with our involvement in the planned development of the Maroochydore CBD.”
Mr Jamieson said while the airport expansion was initially estimated to cost $347 million, council is now very confident the project would be delivered for closer to $300 million.
“This is largely due to the terminal expansion being taken over by the airport operator Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd, and is an early demonstration that council is taking its promise to ratepayers seriously.
“We can build this new runway for our future, without passing any enduring financial burden on to our community.”
Early works in 2017 included the completion of the Finland Road upgrade to prepare the road surface for heavy vehicle traffic, engaging with the Kabi Kabi First Nation People to protect the cultural heritage of the runway expansion land, clearing the centreline, and the relocation of the water main and power lines.
John Holland Group will start preparing the site for the dredging works to commence mid-2018.
The $225 million construction contract is the largest package of works in the project.
