HBA proposed upgrade

[Kain C]

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...ania-news.html

Hobart masterplan takes flight MEGAN McNAUGHT | July 27, 2010 12.01am

AMBITIOUS plans to extend Hobart Airport's runway 300m into Frederick Henry Bay and cement the airport as the international Antarctic air base have been revealed.

The airport proposal is part of the State Government's "Hobart a world-class liveable waterfront city" initiative for the revitalisation of the waterfront and development of the city over the next 15 years.

The Government has gone cap in hand to Infrastructure Australia, which was established by the Federal Government in 2008 as a new national approach to planning, funding and implementing future infrastructure needs.

It is bidding for a slice of the $22 billion Infrastructure Australia fund to pay for its vision, revealed in its submission to the Federal Government.

The centrepiece of the infrastructure wish-list is the bold $100 million plan for Hobart Airport to extend its runway, and upgrade arrival and departure facilities to become the main air link to Antarctica.

The airport would have the capacity to handle 10 larger aircraft and an educational and training centre.

It is hoped the improved facilities will help encourage use by the eight East Antarctic nations and "cement Hobart's position as the polar gateway".

The submission reveals that the Government is already in talks to lure some of America's polar air services from New Zealand, where they are worth a total of $90 million.

The first stage of the redevelopments would include a $15 million extension and refurbishment of the runway, allowing for international flights, mainly to and from New Zealand, to resume.

It would make the runway 300m longer than one of Tullamarine's major runways.

Also included in the master plan are proposals for:

• A parallel taxiway to provide greater efficiency.

• An upgrade of arrival and departure lounges and facilities to lure more international passengers and Antarctic scientists.

• Aerobridge facilities.

Tasmania's relationship with Antarctica is a lucrative one, injecting $147.7 million into the economy in 2006-07 and growing at more than 6 per cent a year.

Flights have been operating to Antarctica since January 2008 and the submission says there is significant room to expand these services.

The submission says upgrading facilities is vital in being an Antarctic gateway and attracting new customers.

"Development of the gateway will also help strengthen the city's economy and act as a catalyst for further investment opportunities, including servicing of the other East Antarctic nations," the report says.

As well as including the science and training centre, the Antarctic airlink at Hobart Airport would include hangars, aircraft-servicing facilities and administration.

[Jarden S]

It be good for Hobart if this upgrade went ahead as LST already has a parallel taxiway the full length of it runway as its a less busy port than HBA.