In order to service our growth plans, BMA has identified the need for a wider range of work choices for the forecast larger workforces. As such, studies are underway to investigate the potential for an airport relocation and / or upgrade, to allow larger capacity aircraft to fly in and out of the Moranbah region.
The development of a new airport may also be required, in time, to access coal that lies in the vicinity of the existing Moranbah airport. While the scale, location and timing of this project is yet to be confirmed, it is envisaged that an airport development would be designed and constructed on the following broad criteria:
the airport will be sited so as to ensure that the overall amenity of the residents of Moranbah is not adversely affected;
sizing of the airport facilities (runway, terminal, refuelling capability) will be such that larger aircraft (including high capacity aircraft) can directly service the Moranbah area and potentially a wider region; and
flexibility of operation could be such that the airport may be owned and managed either by BMA or by a third party.
It is anticipated that the development of a new airport could involve the following:
clearing of onsite vegetation, and cutting and filling of the site to manage stormwater and to provide suitable site levels to construct the runway
construction of a new runway facility capable of allowing a variety of aircraft types, including high capacity aircraft
construction of a new terminal facility enabling the processing of passengers and associated luggage and
construction of ancillary airport infrastructure such as fuel storage, aircraft hanger facilities, runway lighting systems, ground aircraft navigation equipment, vehicle parking, security facilities/fencing and internal roads.
