Page 24 - Tropic Magazine Issue 26

TROPIC • AVIATION

Terminal

transformation

AIRPORT UPGRADE
Cairns Airport is celebrating the
completion of its T2 Domestic
Terminal expansion project.

Words: Annabel Bowles 1

As the gateway to the beauty and diversity sustainability measures, including carpet
of Tropical North Queensland, Cairns made from recycled fishing nets, carbon-
Airport is often the first port of call for neutral tiles and more natural lighting.
many of our region’s visitors. Organic food waste is also composted
And according to Cairns Airport CEO through the terminal’s new three stream
Norris Carter, first impressions mean waste bins and macerator, which is just
a lot. the third system of its kind in Australia.
That’s why he’s thrilled to see the Regional partnerships were also key to
completion of a $55 million upgrade the construction of the project. Kyle Hare
to the T2 Domestic Terminal. Three 2 from Hutchinson Builders Cairns said
years in the making, the development Hutchies was delighted to be involved in
was carefully designed to not only “We set out to deliver a terminal the expansion of the T2 Terminal.
improve traveller navigation, reduce experience that focused and connected “We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to
congestion and offer a wider array of passengers with our unique region, from collaborate with other local businesses
retail and dining outlets, but immediately its ancient culture to modern marvels in and are proud to say that 350 direct jobs
immerse travellers in the essence of our both the reef and rainforest. were secured as a result of the project,
remarkable surrounds. “We know that the new generation supporting around 50 subcontractors and
Mr Carter believes the new upgrade will of passengers expect more from their suppliers,” he said.
future-proof the airport for many years airport experience, so incorporating our “As Australia’s largest family-owned
to come. sense of place was critical for us in meeting builder, we are strong believers in
“With domestic passenger numbers and surpassing those expectations.” the importance of supporting our
expected to grow by 40 per cent over Among the terminal’s new eateries communities. Hutchies always looks local
the next ten years, it was important are familiar local favourites like Ochre first, and the majority of our direct team,
we looked at a configuration that both Restaurant, The Pier Bar and Rattle n Hum, subcontractors and suppliers were from
accommodated the increased passenger which all showcase local produce and the region.”
traffic and put the customer experience beverages. The T2 Domestic Terminal
first,” he said. upgrade also feature a number of MORE: cairnsairport.com.au

New runway
ready to go

After sixteen years of service and FLIGHTY FACTS
more than a million lift-offs and Cairns Airport is the
landings, the main runway at Cairns seventh busiest by
Airport has undergone a complete 3 passenger movements
resurfacing. The upgrade included “Maintaining safe operations at in Australia, and the second busiest
removing 11,000 tonnes of asphalt, the airport over this time was regional centre behind the Gold
replacing it with a high strength critical to the completion of the Coast. For a time during the COVID-19
pavement, and repurposing the project and it’s a testament to the pandemic in recent months, the
old material across the airport’s tremendous partnerships we have Cairns-Brisbane route was the busiest
internal levee roads. with our airline partners and our in Australia due to border closures
Head of Infrastructure at Cairns contractors.” and a spike in intrastrate travel.
Airport Alan Dugan said the project As a contribution to the local
had gone like clockwork, completed community, new runway grade
each night in work windows to asphalt from the on-site plant was
ensure the airport remained open also used to resurface the Cairns 1. Rattle n Hum, Cairns Airport
2. Cairns Airport T2
and accessible. BMX Club access road. 3. Resurfacing Cairns Airport runway

24 • Tropic • Issue 26