Airport runway extension project is complete

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves joined Federal Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King at the Ballarat Airport on Friday to celebrate the completion of construction works on the runway extension project.

Stage one of the runway upgrade project – which has increased the runway length from 1,250 to 1,800 metres – was jointly funded with $3.8 million from the Australian Government via its Regional Airports Program and $5 million from the City of Ballarat.

The runway extension is expected to be ready for use in March. This will mark the completion of the first stage of a transformational two-stage upgrade envisioned for the airport, which will improve transport connections, stimulate economic growth, and assist business expansion for Ballarat and the region.

The City of Ballarat is currently seeking a funding partnership for the second stage and will be submitting applications to Commonwealth funding streams.

The second stage of the runway upgrade project involves the reconstruction of the existing 1,250 metre section to the same standard as the stage one extension. A fully upgraded 1,800 metre runway would enable the operation of large turboprop and regional jet aircraft. This would allow the City of Ballarat to explore opportunities for the airport to expand operations to passenger and freight services that would attract investment and create economic growth for the region.

These upgrades would also provide a safer runway for aeromedical flights that service Ballarat and the western district and would improve the capacity to accommodate larger aerial firefighting aircraft that have been ever present in the skies during the recent bushfires in the region.

Cr Hargreaves said the runway extension represented a critical first stage in the City of Ballarat’s vision for the airport.

“The runway extension will play an important role in allowing the Ballarat Airport to cater for larger commercial and emergency services aircraft,” she said.

“It will enable organisations like the Royal Flying Doctors Service to operate their newer Kingair 350 aircraft on their flights into Ballarat, and it will improve safety.”

Federal Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the City of Ballarat has done significant work to develop a masterplan for the airport which recognises how important aviation will be to the future of our city.

“I’m delighted that Albanese Government could support the Ballarat Airport through both rounds 1 and 4 of the Regional Airports Program,” she said.

“Our $3.8 million investment to the lengthen the runway is a critical step in the airport’s development, so it’s great to see it nearing completion.

The second stage of the Ballarat Airport upgrade is a priority project listed in the Ballarat Now and Into the Future document. 

“While we celebrate this milestone, there is more to be done to fully realise the potential for Ballarat Airport,” Cr Hargreaves said.

“Ahead of the federal election, I hope all sides of politics will get behind the Ballarat Airport and the many benefits the second stage of upgrades will have for the entire Western Victoria region.”

For more information on the Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat project, visit ballaratnow.com.