December 30th, 2022Ballarat airport runway works take off

Early works have started on the Ballarat Airport runway to extend its length from 1,300 to 1,800 metres.

The work is being undertaken by Fulton Hogan, following the awarding of a tender in August this year.

The runway extension will create opportunities to expand aviation uses at the airport, including emergency services.

Works are being jointly funded with $3.8 million from the Australian Government via its Regional Airports Program, and the City of Ballarat.

The start of the runway extension works is a major milestone and comes after years of advocacy by City of Ballarat to realise its long-term vision for the airport, as articulated in the Ballarat Airport Masterplan 2013-33.

This is the first stage of the transformational three-stage upgrade envisioned for the airport, which will improve transport connections, stimulate economic growth, and assist business expansion for Ballarat and the region.

Runway work is expected to be completed by mid-2023. Aircraft landing and taking off from Ballarat Airport will not be impacted during construction.

In the longer term, the runway extension will see primary road access to the airport shift to Liberator Drive – which will be constructed by Development Victoria as a separate project south of the airport, as part of the BWEZ development.

To maintain airport access until Liberator Drive is completed, road access will be immediately re-instated along Airport Road once the runway has been extended.

Users of Airport Road will experience only minor disruptions and will be able to use Airport Road as they do now, until Liberator Drive is completed.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: “The Ballarat Airport generates over $10 million in output each year – supporting jobs and the local economy.”