Foundation works for the southern terminal expansion of Gold Coast Airport are set to begin this week, signifying the next exciting step in the delivery of the redevelopment project.
Gold Coast Airport welcomes 6.6 million passengers each year – a number set to more than double by 2037.
Designed by architecture firm, HASSELL, the three-level southern terminal expansion aims to accommodate for this forecasted growth.
The building’s design features swing gate capacity, which will offer increased flexibility to service both international and domestic services, depending on demand.
The southern terminal expansion is set to double the floor area of the existing terminal, reducing congestion and allowing an easier flow of foot-traffic, and will deliver aerobridges, additional retail space, a new departure lounge, baggage handling and border control facilities.
Sustainable design has been a key consideration for the expansion, with environmentally-friendly initiatives including condensate harvesting from air conditioners, energy-efficient light fittings and lighting energy management control systems.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO, Chris Mills, detailed that years of planning had been undertaken in the lead up to these upcoming works, which represent a major step forward for the expanding airport precinct.
“This project will change the face of the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales and deliver a gateway that Australia’s leading tourism destination deserves,” he said.
“Importantly, the project will address current capacity issues while paving the way for future passenger growth.”
“There is about $500 million being invested in the airport precinct, including this redevelopment and the Rydges-branded airport hotel, which is now under construction.”
“From September this year, we will have three tower cranes on-site at the airport. The level of development activity is unprecedented,” Mr Mills added.
In March 2019, international property and infrastructure group, Lendlease, was appointed to deliver the terminal expansion.
Lendlease Building CEO, Dale Connor, said the Gold Coast Airport southern terminal expansion project reinforced Lendlease’s capability to deliver large projects in live and complex environments.
“Construction of a 30,000 square metre expansion project amongst one of Australia’s fastest-growing airports is no easy feat. It requires careful programming and stakeholder engagement to ensure minimal disruption to day-to-day operations,” he detailed.
“Together with the airport, we have developed innovative solutions to minimise disruption to passengers travelling through the airport and maintain construction progress. For example, we will create a temporary baggage tug tunnel to maintain our baggage handling operation while the three-level building is constructed over the top.”
The terminal expansion will be a major employment generator for the city in the next two years – delivering 1,500 construction jobs, with approximately 250 workers on-site at peak times.
The ‘topping out’ of the building is targeted to occur in mid-2020 and the opening of the terminal is set for mid-2021.
Once the southern terminal expansion is complete, work will commence on the existing terminal refurbishment.