A 20-year, $1 billion redevelopment of the Cairns Airport will move forward after Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney approved the Cairns Airport Land Use Plan today.

Mr Seeney said the land use plan provided for the long term growth of core airport activities, such as international, domestic, regional and general aviation, engineering and maintenance facilities, freight and logistics, and training facilities.

“Cairns Airport is one of Queensland’s most strategically important infrastructure assets,” Mr Seeney said. “The city is a key international tourist destination, a gateway to Asia and is of regional significance.

“This plan recognises Cairns Airport’s role as a centre of economic activity for the far north Queensland community, generating jobs and helping to diversify the employment market.

“While the economic benefits of the redevelopment are clear, the diversification of the commercial precinct also has the potential to generate high traffic volumes, and put pressure on existing infrastructure.

“I have requested that airport owners North Queensland Airports Group and the Department of Transport and Main Roads work together to ensure any necessary road infrastructure upgrades are properly considered.”

Mr Seeney said he was pleased the community was consulted on the land use plan, with 25 written submissions received by the Cairns Airport, and that Cairns Regional Council also supported the plan.

He said Cairns Airport would work closely with current tenants to ensure the best transition to a new aviation enterprise precinct.

“Globally, airports are increasingly dependent on diversified revenue streams, and Cairns Airport has said it relied on the commercial precinct to underpin its aviation enterprise precinct,” he said.

Mr Seeney said while a second runway for Cairns Airport was not on the immediate horizon, if such a development was ever proposed a rigorous assessment by the State and Commonwealth would be required.

“There are significant buffers between any future airport uses and neighbouring communities to ensure any noise, air or hazardous impacts are minimised,” he said.

“Localised impacts on the surrounding communities always need to be balanced against the greater good of the region, and the development’s ability to mitigate impacts.”