Future options for Albany Regional Airport outlined in 2043 master plan ready to be brought before council

Councillors will scrutinise the City of Albany’s 20-year vision for developing Albany Regional Airport this month with interstate travel on the cards but likely a long way off. The 48-page 2043 master plan, produced for the city and the Great Southern Development Commission by Aviation Projects, presents three development scenarios. City officers have recommended that councillors back the strategy to retain ARA as a code three aerodrome catering for intrastate services and improvements to introduce larger FIFO closed charter services. The work would involve upgrading runway, taxiway and apron pavement, the incremental expansion of the passenger terminal, and expanding the carpark to create about 60 additional spaces. The two other scenarios examine ambitions for a code four aerodrome that can handle interstate travel and a longer-term vision that includes exploring property development opportunities. Upgrading to code four would require extending the main runway from 1800m to 2100m and widening it to 45m, among further upgrades to parking capacity and the terminal. Earlier sections of the master plan highlight how upgrading the airport aligns strategically with a variety of stakeholders, including Australia’s South West, the region’s peak tourism organisation, which wants to explore options for interstate flights to and from ARA. ASW’s draft destination management plan first published in 2022 included developing a master plan for the ARA as a priority. Then Albany mayor Dennis Wellington said it could happen “in the not-too-distant future” with appropriate funding. Multiple candidates in last year’s mayoral election, including now Albany mayor Greg Stocks, said upgrading the airport was a priority during their campaigns. The city’s corporate and community services committee will consider the Albany Airport Master Plan 2043 on Tuesday; then the council will consider it at its ordinary meeting later this month. The officer’s report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting indicates the master plan and associated analysis provide “valuable insights” into the development of the airport. “The recommendations outlined in the report aim to support sustainable growth and enhance the airport’s role as a key regional transportation hub,” it states. Once formally received, the master plan will replace the one adopted in 2012.