The Mount Gambier Regional Airport Upgrade is now complete, on time and on budget!

Council are proud to announce that Stage 2 of the $6.2M terminal is now complete, a month ahead of schedule.

Stage 2 works consisted of the two main departure lounges, departure ramps and access airside, amenities, carpet & painting as well as outside works such as landscaping and signage. With its completion, the Mount Gambier Regional Airport is now fully open to the public and passengers will be able to enjoy the new layout and design which has improved passenger flow and includes more useable public spaces.

While the most visible part to the Airport upgrade has been to the Terminal, there have been three additional components to the overall $9.2M upgrade including:

• 120m extension to the main runway to service larger aircraft.
• A new heavy aircraft apron to house a larger contingent of fire bombers and other heavy aircraft.
• Full electrical upgrade to entire Airport precinct.

The upgraded facilities make for a more welcoming experience for those visiting our region and will service the needs of our community long into the future.

As of Monday 17 August 2020, Stage 1 of the $6.2M Mount Gambier Regional Airport Terminal building is operational and open to the public.

After a week of testing and commissioning of communications, security and other services Stage 1 of the terminal is now ready to open and will include:

• Access to the car park including the long term parking
• Aero Espresso Café operational
• Hire Car workstations open
• Check In Counters operational
• Arrival and Departures inside the terminal building
• Partial completion of landscaping
• Some initial signage
• Portable toilets will remain in-situ until Stage 2 progresses further

People driving into the Airport will need to follow the directional signage until the intersection at the drop off zone is complete.

The supply of glass and glazed louvres has been delayed due to COVID-19 which has resulted in the stage 1 build not being fully weather proofed by the original hand over date of mid-July. Council, Ashley Halliday Architects and the construction team from Kennett Builders have revised the timeline by four weeks to ensure delivery and installation of the glass and other items.

The Mount Gambier Regional Airport will be fully operational from Monday 17 August 2020.

Activity is ramping up this week at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport with final demolition of the terminal set to start on Tuesday, along with the transition of passengers across to a temporary terminal by the end of the week.

With the COVID-19 pandemic creating extraordinary change and disruption, Council has worked to bring forward the overall development program to ensure there is no lag between construction stages. Reduced passenger activity at the terminal means there has been less foot traffic so adjustments have been made to the schedule, which is providing local subcontractors with continuous work on site.

The District Council of Grant has revealed a new logo to promote and rebrand the Mount Gambier Regional Airport as part of the current $6M terminal construction project.

The new logo was developed in conjunction with Julia Reader Design and has been created to be abstract and bold. The shapes that overlap are loosely based on the shape of the Blue Lake. The white centre is reminiscent of the geology of the Limestone Coast Region and a nod to the circular skylight feature within the terminal entrance. The green represents forestry and the expansive pastures of our agricultural land, the blue represents pristine waterways and coastlines and the red is visual link to the terra rossa soil of our world-class wine regions.

Kennett Builders and Council are quickly back into construction mode for 2020 with the foundation works for Stage 1 of the terminal redevelopment underway, representing an exciting next step in this $9.2M project.

In the coming months Stage 1 works will include structural framework and the internal fitout, with the transition to Stage 2 works commencing mid-2020. This staged approach ensures ongoing safe and efficient operations at the airport during the project.

Council and Kennett Builders are pleased to
announce the following early (and major) trades that are all local for the Mount Gambier Regional Airport Upgrade:

Demolition: South East Asbestos
Civil: Gambier Earth Movers
Structural Steel: DMK Engineering
Electrical: Stuckey Electrical
Plumbing: Maloney Plumbing

Patrons to the Mount Gambier Regional Airport will start to see some activity from next Monday (4 November). Kennett Builders will be out and about establishing the site, which will include fencing and some directional signage.

The aim is to minimise any potential disruptions wherever possible.

If you'd like to track the progress follow the Kennett Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kennettbuilders

In an announcement made by Acting CEO Jane Fetherstonhaugh, Kennett’s were identified as the preferred contractor through Council’s rigorous procurement evaluation process. Factors assessed include quotes and pricing, regional economic benefits and the ability to form a strong working relationship between Ashley Halliday Architects, Council and the team from Kennett’s.

The Council Assessment Panel (CAP) has granted Development Plan Consent for the District Council of Grant to proceed with the redevelopment and expansion of the Mount Gambier Regional Airport Terminal Building. Based on an independent Development Assessment Report from Wayne Gladigau (MasterPlan) consent was given based on the plans prepared by Ashley Halliday Architecture. The development will be constructed within the existing footprint of the terminal building and also incorporate some vacant land on the north east side to allow for a larger terminal to be built; increasing the floor area to 1,060sqm.