Published on Thursday, 27 November 2014 at 12:00:00 AM
The Onslow Airport was recognised on Tuesday night (25 November) with a win in a national airports award, organised by the Australian Airports Association.
The win was in the ‘Non-RPT Certified Airport of the Year’ category of the Airport Industry Awards 2014.
Almost 700 people packed into the Gold Coast Convention Centre for the annual awards gala night which celebrates the achievements of individuals and airports, both big and small over the past year.
The Shire’s entry was for the first stage of the Onslow Airport redevelopment involving the construction of the new runway, taxiways and apron. To meet the growing demand of the resources sector, the Onslow Airport has had to overcome many obstacles, including the lack of fresh water.
The Shire of Ashburton Executive Manager Infrastructure Services, Troy Davis, was on hand to accept the award and was quick to highlight the extreme technical difficulties that had to be overcome to achieve this project. “You can’t underestimate how difficult it is to develop infrastructure of this magnitude on a salt flat, with no fresh water, in an isolated part of the country and with a multi-billion dollar LNG project hinging on its success,” Mr Davis highlighted. “To complete this project in the timeframe, with no lost time injuries was a great feat and I am very proud to be accepting the award on behalf of the Shire.”
When MC Peter FitzSimons announced Onslow as the winner, the WA table, including Exmouth, Broome and Geraldton delegates, erupted into applause.
Shire President Kerry White congratulated all those, both past and present, who have contributed towards the high standards of the Onslow Airport.
“This national recognition acknowledges that the work the Shire is undertaking is of a very high quality,” Cr White said. “Although there has been a ‘chequered history’ with this airport along the way, we should celebrate the extreme challenges that have had to be overcome.”
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