14 Sept 2007 - Airport Improvements

Work has now been completed on a $100,000 extension to the security fence at Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.

The project involved erecting three kilometres of chain wire fence along the eastern side of the runway, replacing the original 20-year-old post and wire stock fence. 

The new fence is part of an on-going airport security enhancement programme at the airport which has included provision of more cameras around the terminal building and apron, the use of ID cards for all staff and, in coming months, the enhancement of checked-in luggage screening equipment.

In addition, Council has made further inroads into its aim to cut greenhouse gases by implementing a $78,000 programme in the airport terminal to save electricity and reduce carbon emissions. This program will include installing low energy globes and fittings, modifying the air conditioning to be more power efficient and expanding the building's energy management system to provide better control over energy usage. 

The airport already uses a special system that allows pilots to turn on the runway lighting from the air.  This means that the runway lights are not left on all through the night when there are no scheduled services. Instead pilots turn them on from the cockpit as and when they need them.

"More than 300,000 passengers use the airport every year, we have three airlines regularly running services and we're continually looking at ways to improve and enhance the facilities for all our users," said Airport Manager Bevan Edwards.

"As part of that, we constantly review all our operations - not just security - so we're always on the look-out for ways in which we can implement upgrades and improvements," he said.

A programme of expansion has been in place at the airport since the early 1990s when Council assumed full ownership of the facility.

Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is one of the largest and busiest regional airport in New South Wales, handling regional, domestic and international style aircraft. The Airport is currently serviced by three carriers - Qantas, Virgin Blue and Brindabella Airlines - and has the capacity to handle aircraft up to the size of a 240-seat Boeing 767.

The airport currently handles over 26,000 aircraft movements per annum, 5,000 of which are for passenger aircraft.