In 2014 and 2015, Aviation Projects has assisted North Queensland Airports, and in particular Mackay Airport Pty Ltd, to resolve several strategically significant matters and provide greater certainty about the protection of Mackay Airport’s future ultimate capacity through the investigation, analysis and resolution of a number of complex, inter-related airport safeguarding problems.
The specific outcomes delivered by Aviation Projects in order to provide greater certainty for the airport’s future include:
- Scoping, definition and review of airport protection aspects of the external road network design to protect future operational airspace
- Review of draft regional planning scheme provisions related to airport safeguarding
- Scoping, definition and review of a critical airspace protection surfaces model
- Scoping, definition and concept design of infrastructure and operational airspace associated with future aircraft operations
Aviation Projects’ responsiveness, expert knowledge, attention to detail, rigorous technical analysis and professional approach to its work contributed to the ability of North Queensland Airports, and in particular Mackay Airport Pty Ltd, to achieve its strategic intent. As a result, Aviation Projects has become a trusted advisor to the North Queensland Airports group of companies. Aviation Projects consulted on the following:
External road network design
- A significant road intersection located in the undershoot of the main runway was operating beyond capacity. The detailed design that had been prepared for the upgraded intersection did not adequately consider and protect future aircraft operations and associated airspace
- Aviation Projects scoped, defined and reviewed airport protection aspects of a revised concept design for the upgraded intersection that achieved MAPL’s strategic intent.
Planning Scheme provisions
- A new draft planning scheme for the region surrounding Mackay Airport was exhibited for consultation. Aviation Projects provided expert advice regarding airport protection matters that were incorporated in the draft planning scheme to ensure that Mackay Airport’s current and future interests were protected
Critical airspace protection surfaces model
- To enable accurate and efficient assessment of potential impacts to Mackay Airport’s operational airspace, MAPL sought the development of a critical airspace protection surfaces model. Aviation Projects scoped, defined, assisted to procure and then reviewed the deliverables to ensure that Mackay Airport’s current and ultimate operational capacity were protected
Runway extension planning study
- In planning for the future use of the airport site, MAPL sought to understand the scope of works and costs associated with extending runway 14/32 to accommodate future aircraft operations
In preparing this study, Aviation Projects:
- Established the design aircraft, intended destinations and scope of operations
- Determined the runway length and associated aeronautical infrastructure required to support the design aircraft, intended destinations and scope of operations
- Prepared a two-dimensional concept design of the required runway extension and associated aeronautical infrastructure
- Considered environmental impacts and planning requirements of the proposed infrastructure and informed the development of a high level estimate of costs to obtain planning approvals
- Informed the development of a high level construction cost estimate
