Construction to start on Proserpine Airport Terminal upgrade

Preliminary work has begun on the $7 million upgrade and refurbishment of the Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) Airport passenger terminal, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe announced today.

Mr Hinchliffe said the winning tenderer was setting up on site ahead of the scheduled start of construction in early November.

“This week the successful construction company T.F. Woollam & Son Pty Ltd will be onsite at the airport to begin preparations for the start of work,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Once the site offices and workers’ facilities are in place, it will be all systems go.

“Next week passengers can expect to see temporary fences and hoardings being erected in preparation for the start of work on the building extension which will house the new check-in area and departure lounge.”

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said work on the airport would be undertaken in three stages, in order to minimise any disruption to passengers and staff.

“The airport will remain open and fully operational throughout the seven-month program of works, which is vital in an electorate which relies heavily on tourist trade,” Ms Jarratt said.

“The start of works marks a major step towards providing a modern airport with improved facilities for the 230 000 passengers who use the terminal each year – including residents of Proserpine, tourists to the Whitsunday region and businesses which operate from and within the terminal.

“I’m very pleased to see preparations are underway for the start of construction which will generate 20 jobs and provide immense opportunity for local businesses to supply goods and services as part of this multimillion dollar project.”

The terminal upgrade will include:

• increased floor area of over 700 square metres;
• internal baggage claim with baggage carousel;
• co-location of check-in facilities for all airline operators;
• refurbishment and expansion of the departure lounge;
• refurbishment and relocation of the cafe into the departure lounge; and
• provision of floor space for customs and quarantine facilities for future limited international carriers.

The upgrade and refurbishment of the Whitsunday Coast Airport Terminal is a joint project between the State Government and the Whitsunday Regional Council.