Published on Monday, 21 June 2010 at 12:00:00 AM
Shire of Ashburton States Preference for Onslow’s Existing Airport to be Expanded to Allow for Future Resource Development Near Town.
With two of Western Australia’s biggest LNG plants proposed to be built near Onslow in the next few years, Council have voted to expand Onslow’s existing airport facility to accommodate increased air traffic demands.
Currently Onslow Airport, located 5kms from town, is an underutilised transport facility. The proposed higher volume air traffic site will see the existing main runway extended from 1,600 metres to at least 2,000 metres to accommodate jet passenger aircraft including Boeing 737 as well as charter and corporate air travel. The current cost to upgrade the airport is subject to further feasibility studies.
Shire of Ashburton President Cr Greg Musgrave said it was essential the airport expansion also accommodated for the influx of workers which would be brought in during the construction phase of Chevron’s Wheatstone project and BHP Billiton’s domestic gas plant.
“We need the ability to fly in construction workers particularly from Chevron’s $30 billion Wheatstone project which could generate 3,500 to 4,000 workers during its five year construction period.”
“BHP Billiton’s $1 billion Macedon domestic gas plant will have a smaller workforce of up to 300 at any one time.”
Cr Greg Musgrave said the airport was another indication Onslow was a Pilbara town on the move.
“This project is essential for the development of the gas hub anticipated on our coastline; ultimately we may see Boeing 737 aircraft using the upgraded airstrip.”
“Given the passenger capacity of 737’s naturally we anticipate a regular passenger transport service and this would be a huge boost to tourism.”
Cr Musgrave said a decision to build a brand new airport 40kms out of town was ruled out, because the road leading away from Onslow was often susceptible to flooding and therefore would not be viable during an emergency situation.
He said the Shire would take all necessary measures to ensure the airport did not have significant adverse impacts on the surrounding area.
“We will have to undertake certain town planning scheme amendments to ensure it does protect people from airport noise and correspondingly the airport is not comprised by future urban development.”
Cr Musgrave said at this stage Council had simply picked a preferred site for an airport and no building would commence until resource companies had identified their desired needs and an agreement has been reached on how the upgrade will be funded.
The Shire is presently in preliminary discussions with Chevron and BHP Billiton about the way forward.
Chief Executive Keith Pearson and Shire President Greg Musgrave review plans
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