Perth Airport will begin construction on its first multi-storey car park in order to improve access to its Terminal 1 building.
The project is part of a broader vision to provide more efficient terminal access, and ultimately could deliver two multi-storey car parks.
The two stages would see almost $370 million invested into the local economy, creating almost 800 construction jobs.
Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said the project will transform the way people access the airport by road.
“The project will see the new facilities become the main pick-up and drop-off point for the terminals, replacing the forecourt road which at peak times is experiencing congestion,” Mr Brown said.
“There will be no charge for those motorists who move through the carparks for a quick drop-off or pick-up.
“The car park will also create a new interchange for rideshare, taxi and buses to pick-up and drop-off.
“The six-storey car parks will also increase parking capacity close to the terminals, which is the preference for many travellers and will help our airline partners continue to grow their businesses.
“The carparks will also provide customers the option of undercover parking and electric vehicle recharge points at Terminal 1 for the first time.”
Perth Airport forecasts that by 2038, annual passenger numbers will increase to 26.8 million, and annual aircraft movements will grow to approximately 192,000 movements.
“The additional capacity is also critical to supporting future growth of the fly-in fly-out workforce by improving access and egress at Terminal 2, and alleviating bottlenecks experienced at peak periods,” Mr Brown said.
“The long-term plan sees two multi-storey car parks located within the existing short-term car park.
“The first multi-storey car park will be to the west end and will be linked to the skybridge, which will provide a covered walkway to the terminal.
“Like any road project, there will be some short-term inconvenience but the long-term benefits for travellers, airline partners and businesses that use the airport will be enormous.
“We are already well advanced in our planning and will be working to ensure the construction phase has the smallest possible impact on passengers and motorists.
Mr Brown said a decision on the second multi-storey car park would be made after the completion of the construction of the first.
Design work for the ground transport project is currently underway with construction on Stage 1 to start late 2022.
Stage 1 includes the delivery of the first multi-storey car park and associated road realignment works.
