An improved terminal and increased parking are just two of the developments proposed in a Master Plan for Newcastle Airport.
After lengthy consultation, the 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision was announced at a community stakeholder breakfast this morning.
The Vision includes designs for a terminal transformation expanded over two levels; additional food and beverage businesses; international flights; aero-bridges from the upper level; the creation of a pedestrian plaza; and additional car parking facilities.
In addition, the plan calls for major modifications to integrate ground transport and road access, as well as the creation of a 'campus' style business precinct.
Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock, said Hunter residents deserve a vibrant airport and a clear vision of how it will operate in the future.
"We have an amazing region that is already Australia's largest regional economy and we anticipate our passenger numbers will keep increasing."
The CEO committed to expanding current travel numbers to double, possibly triple the current flight traffic.
The Hunter Business Chamber has welcomed the plan, with CEO Bob Hawes saying the plan provides evidence of the commitment we continue to see in the region.
"It's going to be a considerable activity centre," he said, "one that will have reach well beyond this region and put us on a stage nationally and internationally in terms of capacity and capability, and that's fantastic."
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, joined Newcastle Airport officials and Lord Mayors, Nuatali Nelmes (Newcastle) and Ryan Palmer (Port Stephens) for the launch, and said they are all very excited about the Airport numbers coming through.
"There's around 1 million people [using the Airport], now they have a great master plan taking us as far out as 60 years.
"They have got a few gradual steps worked out to build the numbers up around the 5 million mark," Mr MacDonald said.
"We as a state government are very keen to support them, it's in our Regional Plan and Greater Metro Plan for the cases they're putting up for infrastructure," he continued, "whether that might be around the roads or land development around the Airport."
