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Newcastle Airport plays a key role in our city’s ongoing transition from a great regional centre to an emerging global city, connecting our local communities with family, friends and colleagues across the nation and across the globe.

- Nuatali Nelmes, Lord Mayor City of Newcastle

On 22 March 2018 we released the 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision, a master plan outlining our expansion plans and proposed developments to deliver the airport the region deserves.

Supported by the NSW Government and developed in consultation with local, state and federal government stakeholders as well as our community, the master plan provides a clear direction and capitalises on the role of the airport in stimulating economic and social prosperity.

Already a great place to live and work, our region is an economic powerhouse for the nation and is developing into an increasingly important global tourism destination. As a major gateway into Northern NSW, we see our role as central to the region continuing to flourish and achieving its full potential. At a minimum, our airport is expected to generate more than 3,000 additional jobs and double its passenger numbers by 2036. If we are successful in acquiring a Code E runway, total jobs generated would likely exceed 7000 and passenger numbers would triple.

Our master plan describes the airfield, terminal, landside, ground transport and aviation support facilities needed to cater for these increased numbers, which includes:

  • terminal transformation to offer facilities expanded over two levels
  • additional food, beverage and retail businesses
  • international services implemented into the facilities
  • aero-bridges from the upper level
  • major modifications to integrate ground transport and road access
  • creation of a pedestrian plaza
  • additional car parking areas and offerings
  • creation of a ‘campus’ style business precinct.

Learn more about the 2036 Newcastle Airport vision.

 

Frequently asked questions

An airport Master Plan provides a long-term blueprint for airport development, outlining the land use planning and development intent for an airport site. It is a statutory requirement for airports governed by the Airports Act 1996 (Cwlth). Newcastle Airport does not fall within the provisions of the Airport Act 1996 as it operates under a direct lease agreement with the Department of Defence. This means our Master Plan does not require a formal consultation process or public comment. However, any major development application still requires the consent of our landowner, the Department of Defence, as well as necessary statutory local and state approvals. We have developed a Master Plan to help all of our stakeholders understand how we intend to develop Newcastle Airport. The Plan is intended to support the region in ensuring that vital aircraft infrastructure is delivered when and where it is needed, while maximising the significant economic, social and environmental benefits that well-planned airports can deliver.

Newcastle Airport will become the airport the Hunter region deserves, offering direct international flights to key trading destinations. We will build on our current position as one of the region’s economic and employment hubs, driving innovation, job growth and commercial opportunities. Our longer-term vision is to establish Newcastle Airport as a thriving and dynamic aerospace and aviation cluster driving innovation and excellence, and generating economic, social and employment benefits for the region.

In addition to our regular engagement and consultation with communities through their elected representatives and staff, Newcastle Airport has undertaken widespread community and stakeholder engagement and consultation in the development of the Master Plan.

As part of the long-term Master Plan process, we have undertaken extensive planning for aviation requirements. As we developed the Master Plan, it became clear the current 28ha of leased land is insufficient to support the anticipated aviation and passenger growth. The intention is to expand the NEWCASTLE AIRPORT site to approximately 110ha by acquiring adjacent land which will enable the apron and terminal facilities to be expanded and reconfigured. Landside infrastructure will also be transformed with a new pedestrian plaza and an Orbital Airport Road.

The scope of the Newcastle Airport Environment Strategy does not cover aircraft noise or air quality, aside from activity on the apron, which are the responsibility of RAAF Base Williamtown. The Environment Strategy outlines key environmental and management strategies that the Airport is committed to addressing on the environment in which it operates.

The Strategy focuses on:

  • Environmental management
  • Compliance with applicable environmental legislation (including stormwater, groundwater, soil, hazardous materials, ground-based noise and local emissions)
  • Sustainability initiatives (energy efficiency, water resources, waste and climate change)
  • Biodiversity and cultural heritage (Wildlife, environs, visual amenity and cultural heritage)
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