Brisbane Airport master plan gets tick of approval

“This plan outlines how the airport precinct will develop over the next 20 years, ensuring ongoing capacity, connectivity and sustainability of one of our busiest aviation hubs,” said Transport Minister Catherine King.

“It will ensure Brisbane is equipped with a modern airport befitting the future of the state capital, and continue its essential contribution to the Queensland economy.”

According to the airport, its Master Plan outline show it will “evolve its land use” to deliver more terminal capacity as well as hotels, retail, commercial, and entertainment spaces.

“It also plans for better transport access to handle a significant increase in passenger numbers, with capacity to handle more than 50 million passengers in two decades as the population of Brisbane and Queensland continues to grow,” the airport said in a statement.

“At the same time, the number of workers at the airport will double from 25,000 jobs to 50,000.

“The Master Plan also considers future technologies, including sustainable aviation fuels and emerging hydrogen and electric aircraft, as part of a shift to cleaner energy and more sustainable operations.”

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Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff has hailed the approval as “an endorsement of our vision to serve the people of Brisbane, keeping them connected to each other and the world”.

“This Master Plan sets our 20-year vision for Brisbane Airport, enabling us to strengthen connectivity, boost Queensland tourism and trade, and support job creation for decades to come,” he said.

“When a city grows, the airport must plan for that growth. This plan will ensure Brisbane Airport remains a world-class gateway, as we invest more than $5 billion, just in the next five years.

“We continue to work with Airservices Australia, who design and manage Australia’s airspace, as we aim for a balanced approach that delivers essential aviation while minimising impacts on our community.

“We thank our partners, stakeholders and the community who played a role in shaping the future of Brisbane Airport during the consultation period.”

The Transport Minister has also asked Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to “continue to proactively engage with surrounding communities on aircraft noise matters, and with Airservices Australia in implementing the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane”.

“BAC has commenced an 18-month voluntary tailwind data trial at Brisbane Airport, continuing long term efforts to safely reduce overnight aircraft noise for local communities,” she said.

“As the current Aircraft Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) in the Master Plan does not account for potential future flight path changes being considered under the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane, I have outlined my expectation that BAC and Airservices will ensure information on these changes is publicly available once any decisions have been made.

“Any flight path changes will also have to inform the ANEF in future draft master plans for Brisbane, which will require technical endorsement by Airservices. I have asked BAC to continue to consult closely with Airservices on the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane and any future ANEF requirements.

“Lastly, I have also asked BAC to carefully consider whether changes resulting from the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane warrant seeking technical endorsement of an updated ANEF before this Master Plan expires.”

The news comes amid Brisbane’s major $5 billion Future BNE transformation program, which includes renovations to its domestic and international terminals, continued planning for a new Terminal 3 precinct, aircraft parking and apron expansions, runway resurfacing, and a new aeromedical facility so medical repatriation and emergency services can be centralised at the airport.