Meetings start on airport master plan

Experts appointed to create a 20-year master plan to guide development at Hedland airport have begun meeting local and Perth-based “stakeholders”.

Consultants The Airport Group won the tender to complete the master plan on August 29.

Port Hedland International Airport Group of Companies chief executive Mitchell Cameron said the group’s work would build on an existing development plan completed in 2012.

“We will use that as a reference point, but then develop new ideas. (TAG) have already had discussions with some of the major stakeholders in Port Hedland … (and) various stakeholders in Perth,” he said.

“But it is very early days, the process will take up to 18 months and we have only just commenced discussions.”

The appointment of TAG marks the second major contract the group has secured in relation to Hedland airport.

In November 2014, airport owner, the Town of Port Hedland, also appointed TAG as its adviser during the process that led to the facility’s leasing to the current consortium of private investors.

Mr Mitchell said the airport master plan would look at ways to create aviation-related business, such as predictions about what kind and how many aircraft would visit Hedland and what size passenger terminal was needed.

The plan would also focus on ways to develop the 817ha of airport-owned land surrounding the airfield.

But with the master plan not due for another 18 months, he dismissed concerns it could place the airport operators under pressure to fulfil their obligation to spend $40 million within five years improving infrastructure.

“We are committed to meeting our lease obligations,” he said.