Work is progressing steadily on the construction of a parallel taxiway at Bathurst Airport, which is part of a multi-million dollar project to improve the site’s access and operational capabilities.
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The parallel taxiway will ensure greater access to the airport's main runway during peak periods.
Construction of the parallel taxiway is expected to cost around $2 million, which forms a major slice of the $5 million figure that was committed to improvement works for the airport in 2015.
The $5 million figure was delivered in equal shares by the Bathurst Regional Council and the Federal Government through their National Stronger Regions Fund.
“I think it’s a great example of the partnership between the federal government and local governments,” Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said.
“The project is all about setting up the Bathurst region for future growth.”
The Bathurst Airport is one of the busier regional airports in Australia for aircraft movements, with around 35,000 aircraft coming in and out each year.
Mr Gee said the works would help foster new strategies for connecting Bathurst to metropolitan areas such as the Greater Sydney region.
“We’ve got that great sandstone curtain [the Blue Mountains] just over yonder, which serves as a physical and mental divide for rural and metropolitan residents,” he said.
“The works will ensure that Bathurst Airport is a more attractive facility to fly in and out of.”
Along with the parallel taxiway, works are being carried out on additional aircraft parking areas, new fueling resources and a connection to Bathurst’s water supply.
These improvements were outlined in the Bathurst Regional Council’s Aerodrome Master Plan, which was adopted in 2013.
“With the ongoing works at Badgerys Creek [Sydney’s second airport], light aircraft access to Sydney’s airspace will eventually be limited," Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger said.
“Bathurst is the closest airport to Sydney west of the Blue Mountains, and will grow exponentially bigger.”
The airport experiences a significant increase in aircraft movements during race events at Mt Panorama.
Bathurst Regional Council’s director of engineering services Darren Sturgiss said the works would cater for increased demand periods.
“During the Bathurst 1000 weekend, we can have anywhere between 80 to 100 aircraft parked on the ground,” Mr Sturgiss said.
“Having a greater capacity to accommodate those peak periods will assist us in providing a more accessible facility for its many users.”
The parallel taxiway is expected to be complete in time for the Bathurst 12 Hour.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
