NexGen firefighting upgrades in Queensland and Victoria, including Cairns, Rockhampton and Mackay, as well as remediation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” in Rockhampton, have both been recommended in the committee’s latest report.
The Striker Volterra 6x6 vehicles, ordered in 2023 by Airservices Australia, will operate out of a purpose-built Aviation Rescue Firefighting station – currently under construction – which Airservices says will allow firefighters to respond to any emergency at WSI in under three minutes.
Speaking to ABC’s The Business, Hickey said WSI is on track to begin operations in a year’s time, with four airlines – QantasLink, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand – having all committed to fly from the airport.
In a new report, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue called for a “more ambitious, multi‑year package” to bolster connectivity at the airport on top of the existing $16 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, saying other airports have received far more funding.
The airport saw 1.66 million passengers in October, more than the previous record of 1.61 million set in July this year. This includes new all-time records for total domestic passengers at 1.17 million, and interstate passengers at 584,126.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has signed off on the master plan, with permission granted for childcare, medical, shopping and other services in a bid to turn Sunshine Coast into a “modern world-class airport” that will add more to the local economy.