National gong for Bairnsdale Aerodrome

East Gippsland Shire collected a national award for its Bairnsdale Airport on November 14, named ‘Small Regional Aerodrome of the Year’ at the Australian Airport Association National Airport Industry Awards.

The award comes on the back of suite of changes made at the aerodrome over the past 12 months, and the improvements have attracted organisations now choosing Bairnsdale as a fuel stopover when transiting their offshore workers due to the more secure and improved facility.

Up until last year, Bairnsdale Airport was managed for the past 21 years by a sub-contracted aerodrome reporting officer, however 18 months ago Council brought the management in-house.

Council’s Aerodromes Coordinator Jason Connelly said many improvements had been made at the aerodrome in that time and the recent national accolade was testament to the work completed at the aerodrome and Council’s staff.

“The removal of overgrown shrubbery and dilapidated farm fencing both landside and airside have enhanced visual aesthetics,” Mr Connelly said.

“The installation of new doors, split system air-conditioning CCTV, vending machine and new seating in the passenger terminal for the comfort of passengers and air ambulance patients has significantly enhanced the customer experience and is regularly praised.

“Other visually noticeable improvements include new line marking on the runways, aprons, windsock/signal circle and car parking in front of the terminal building, including a designated disabled parking area to accommodate all guests.

“Council has also applied illuminated paint on the passenger walkways, increasing visibility for passengers, patients and ambulance staff during night and low visibility conditions.”

Improved signage and security, windsock replacement, the removal of two decommission towers, and the re-routing of existing fencing and access gates to enhance access for fuel delivery are other recent milestones.

“Tenants, pilots from Ambulance Victoria and visiting pilots have all commented on how much of an improved facility the airport is and as a result we are now experiencing an increase in interest for the housing of aircraft and establishing businesses,” Mr Connelly said.

AAA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the awards recognised outstanding projects that have improved capacity and efficiency, enhanced the passenger experience and made a difference to airports’ local communities.

“We have seen some exceptional entries in the awards, with many airports introducing significant initiatives or projects over the course of the last year,” Ms Wilkie said at the gala awards in Brisbane.

Council’s Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell said to receive national recognition for improvements made at the aerodrome was well deserved for council officers.

“I congratulate our staff on the work undertaken to improve the facility for our tenants, customers and future users,” Cr O’Connell said.

Council was also the inaugural winner of the AAA FOD*BOSS competition in 2017, attributing to extremely tidy runways, taxiways and apron areas.

 East Gippsland Shire Council’s Aerodromes Coordinator Jason Connelly accepts the ‘Small Regional Aerodrome of the Year’ award from Australian Airports Association National Chairman Guy Thompson in Brisbane last week.