The concept design attracted 16 community submissions during its 28-day public exhibition period, with feedback either generally supportive or not directly related to the plan.
As a result, there have been no amendments made to the design, which is a key pillar identified in the Albury Airport Master Plan adopted by Council in 2018.
The Master Plan designated the 16.5 ha Western Precinct as a zone tailored for aviation-centric development, particularly for business and activities requiring access to the runway, taxiway and apron system.
The area is expected to accommodate emergency services operations, helipads and general aviation hangars. The design also considers the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements which followed the 2020 bushfires and includes areas for aerial firefighting capability.
The Western Precinct development plan has been estimated to cost more than $138 million and would need to be staged over at least 10 years, subject to funding and the availability of external financial contributions through grants or partnerships.
The plan will now progress to the preliminary design stage.
The Albury Airport Western Development Concept Design represents a comprehensive and strategic effort to enhance the Western Precinct of Albury Airport, aligning with the broader objectives outlined in the Albury Airport Master Plan and various local, regional, and national strategic objectives.
Mayor Kylie King acknowledged the important milestone in adopting the concept design.
“It demonstrates our commitment to thinking towards the future and how the airport may deliver on our regional community needs for years to come,” she said.
Further consultation will be undertaken with key stakeholders and potential government partners as the project progresses through Preliminary and Detailed design phases, and information shared with the community, to ensure a sound understanding of the project's future development.