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Major upgrades of RAAF Base Williamtown are now complete, supporting Australia’s Defence air power capabilities and delivering a boost to tourism in the NSW Hunter Region.
Commencing in December 2020, Downer delivered major aircraft pavement reconstruction; stormwater drainage and aeronautical ground lighting runway upgrade works; and the construction and installation of two aircraft arrestor systems.
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The $180 million project forms part of the Department of Defence’s National Airfield Program, delivered by Security and Estate Group on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Program sees critical works necessary to maintain full operational effectiveness of Defence airfields undertaken across the country.
The upgrades will allow larger Defence aircraft to take off and land at RAAF Base Williamtown, while upgrades of the runway and taxiway network will also accommodate larger Code E aircraft such as the Airbus A330, A350, Boeing 777 and 787 at Newcastle Airport, supporting civilian travel.
Newcastle Airport secured federal grant funding for its upgrades ahead of the 2022 election, with both major parties pledging the $55 million terminal upgrade – slated to open next year – to follow on from the airport’s $66 million runway upgrade.
The works coincide with the upgrades at RAAF Williamtown, meaning if the airport had not secured the money in time it would have had to wait until the next scheduled upgrades in approximately 2040.
“Downer was privileged to be involved in this project from the outset, providing construction advice to the Commonwealth during the planning stages, to subsequently delivering these important upgrades,” according to Downer defence major projects general manager Jamie Flood.
“The works required significant coordination with the military and civilian airfield operators to ensure that there were minimal disruptions to aircraft operations.
“We’re pleased to have successfully delivered another major project to support Defence capability, delivering outcomes to help safeguard Australia’s future.”
The RAAF Williamtown upgrade featured more than 213,000 tonnes of asphalt placed, 112km of airfield ground lighting primary cabling installed, 426-night shifts on a closed airfield with nil impact on daily base operations, and 771,251 hours worked with 220 people on site per day during the peak of construction.
4.7 percent of the work was completed by indigenous owned businesses, and 85 percent of the project was delivered by local contractors and suppliers.
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