Powering up the Airport
Published on 05 August 2016
Next week, Rockhampton Airport will begin site preparations to install two new 500kVA generators guaranteed to power up the Airport Terminal Building Precinct in times of disaster.
Rockhampton Regional Council’s Airport Committee Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said the backup generators would enable the airport complex and businesses to continue to operate during severe power outages.
“Our experience in the aftermath of Cyclone Marcia revealed the need to have more powerful backup generators to ensure all businesses could continue to run and airport users were comfortable if their flights were delayed,” Cr Fisher said.
“The current standby power system wasn’t adequate during Cyclone Marcia and we had to install several hire generators around the Terminal Building to sustain normal operations until mains power become available.
“Essentially the airport has out-grown the current system’s capability, but the new system will allow the Terminal to operate at full capacity during prolonged power outages and will have additional capacity to allow for future growth within the Airport Terminal Precinct.”
Cr Fisher said there would be some walkway closures, but drop-off and pick-up areas wouldn’t be affected.
“From Monday, crews will start installing underground electrical cabling and building the foundation slabs for the generators and the bulk fuel tanks, which means we’ll need to close access to the northern pedestrian walkway and relocate the Rental Car Park Exit,” he said.
“We’re hoping the public will understand the inconvenience and thank them for their patience while we improve our Airport for the travelling public.”
In operation, the backup generators will provide standby power for the whole Terminal and adjoining buildings, car parks and aircraft apron lighting.
Works will impact:
- The northern pedestrian walkway that provides access to and from the Quick Drop-off and Car Parks to the Terminal Building will be closed from Monday 8 August 2016 for approximately three months.
- Pedestrian Access to and from the Terminal Building to the Quick-Drop-off and Car Parks will only be available via the central pedestrian walkway.
- The Rental Car Park Exit will be relocated to the northern disability parking bays at the front of the Terminal Building.
- The northern disability bays will be unavailable for the duration of the project. However, the southern disability parking bays at the front of the Terminal Building will be available or the Quick Drop-off within the Short-term Car Park.
The estimated completion date of the project is February 2017, with pedestrian access reinstated by October 2016.