Published on Friday, 29 November 2024 at 10:09:40 AM
For Immediate Release
25 November 2024
Airport redesign wins in National Airport Industry Awards
The Shire of East Pilbara has won the National Airport Industry Awards 2024 in the category of Small Regional (RPT) Airport of the Year.
The award recognises the work underway on the Newman Airport Redevelopment Design.
The Shire completed an Airport Masterplan and has been working to address sustained economic resilience. Newman Airport is located approximately 1200km from Perth and is one of the busiest regional airports in Western Australia.
Regular flights transport FIFO workers and visitors into Newman, Nullagine and the Western Desert, resulting in 420,000 passengers transiting through Newman Airport in 2023.
Shire President Anthony Middleton said the works conducted over the past year have focused on developing a concept for the airport redesign.
“It represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance the quality of regular public air transport services for the East Pilbara and also offer the diverse qualities of the traditional owner’s culture, community, attitudes, identity, commerce, landscapes, and history,” Cr Middleton said.
“The project is focused on addressing needs of the community and celebrating that the site is located on Nyiyaparli country, with the Shire working closely with Traditional Owners on the concept.
“That strong collaboration will continue into the future.”
In 2021, The Shire of East Pilbara completed an Airport Masterplan in response to planning for the replacement of an ageing aviation asset.
Revitalizing the existing Newman Airport, is crucial to addressing both cultural reconciliation needs and sustaining economic resilience in the Pilbara.
In 2023, the Pilbara contributed $40 billion to the Australian economy.
Aviation is a core means to welcome aviation passengers to our traditional lands and crucial as transport to the mining industry, but Newman’s aviation services are quickly reaching capacity
(420,000 PAX current in 2023).
Newman Airport Redevelopment Design 2025 is aiming for longevity and durability with consideration being given to robust, low maintenance and durable construction methods, materials and finishes.
The Pilbara landscape will be encapsulated into the Traditional Owners (Nyiyaparli People) dreamtime stories of flora and fauna. Colours used in the Airport Terminal designs draw inspiration from and compliment the natural environment.
The project is committed to dual naming of airport places and spaces, creation of static and interactive displays, the use of historical cultural narratives, language place-naming conventions regarding entering and leaving Nyiyaparli country. Indigenous heritage and culture is respected, acknowledged and embraced.
The Newman Airport Redevelopment Design 2025 Project’s estimated cost is $100m.
END
Shire of East Pilbara
Phone: (08) 9175 8000
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