ARCHERFIELD AIRPORT SECURITY GRANT

The allocation of more than $1 million in Federal Government funding for improving security measures at Archerfield Airport was recognition of the airport’s strategic importance as a developing regional aviation facility, the Airport’s General Manager, Richard Kent, said today.

Mr Kent welcomed the announcement of the one-off grant of $1,144,897 under the Regional Airport Funding Program, part of the Federal Government’s anti-terrorism initiative to improve aviation security at key airports across Australia.

“While Archerfield Airport already has security measures in place that have proved adequate in the past, the improvements will ensure that this facility remains secure in a global environment that is becoming increasingly insecure,” he said. “It will be used to provide and install more than 5km of new fencing, 26 new vehicle and pedestrian gates, seven closed circuit TV cameras, improved lighting and other security measures.”

Mr Kent said the privately-owned Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) had worked cooperatively with the Department of Transport and Regional Services and the Australian Airports Association to secure the grant.

“As part of its airport security initiative, the Federal Government identified strategically located airports throughout Australia with growing volumes of aircraft movements,” he said. “Archerfield Airport is close to Brisbane’s CBD and handles about 150,000 movements a year. By 2025, we expect to be handling some 220,000 movements a year.”

The security upgrades will be part of many major improvements to be carried out at Archerfield Airport to ensure it develops as a quality secondary airport and a centre of excellence for aeronautical and related industries.

Following the recent approval of the Archerfield Airport Master Plan, the AAC will fund and undertake key development projects including construction of a $3 million, state-of-the-art hangar complex; the creation of six 3 000sq.m. lots for new aviation developments; and further development of the non-aviation south western estate.