Tumut Aerodrome Infrastructure Upgrade

18 December 2023

It was reported at the August 2023 Ordinary meeting that if the Aerodrome Upgrade project was to proceed with the initial design and the 240m runway extension, flood mitigation works would cost Council some $17 million. Council resolved to defer their decision until they received a presentation from RFS on the capability of fixed wing fire-fighting and received further information on upgrade options.

An options analysis report was present to Councillors at the 14 December Ordinary meeting. Following a review of five different options Council resolved to proceed with Option 3 which entails:

• Adding 90 metres to the take-off distance and 30 metres to the landing distance over the existing runway arrangement
• Improved performance / payload for emergency services operations
• Pavement strengthening
• Widening runway pavement to 23 metres for Code 2 design aircraft
• Permanent pilot activated runway lighting, making night operations possible
• Lengthen southern parallel taxiway to improve operational efficiency

RFS Briefing to Council

During a public forum at the November 2023 Ordinary Meeting, RFS Deputy Commissioner Kyle Stewart explained that while the current status allows the Air Tractor fixed-wing aircraft to operate from Tumut Aerodrome, it's not at optimal capacity, a situation seen in many aerodromes across the state. He assured the Council that despite limitations on runway extension due to flooding a mix of resources, including heavy helicopters and air tanker support, would address firefighting needs in the area.

17 November 2023

During a public forum at the November 2023 Ordinary Meeting, RFS Deputy Commissioner Kyle Stewart explained that while the current status allows the Air Tractor fixed-wing aircraft to operate from Tumut Aerodrome, it's not at optimal capacity, a situation seen in many aerodromes across the state. He assured the Council that despite limitations on runway extension due to flooding a mix of resources, including heavy helicopters and air tanker support, would address firefighting needs in the area.

18 August 2023

Flood modelling on the detailed design for the proposed 240m runway extension identified potential impacts to surrounding properties.

Considering this Council’s civil engineering consultants prepared a design to mitigate the impacts on surrounding properties, however 100% mitigation cannot be achieved due to the flood prone nature of the land.

The estimated flood mitigation works would cost Council some $17million.

Several options were presented to Council at their August Meeting, you can read the full report here, page 43.

Council resolved to defer their decision until a presentation on the capability of fixed wing fire-fighting from Rural Fire Service aviation is provided to Council.

3 May 2023

Stage 2 upgrades include extending the existing runway 240m to the north. To achieve the upgrade Council needs to acquire land from private land owners.

At the February 2023 meeting Council resolved to endorse the process for land acquisition in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and the Land Acquisition Act 1991.

Council has engaged with land holders to start the acquisition process and is seeking to have land in Council ownership by the end of 2023.

Statutory approvals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) are in the final stages and design works are progressing well. Construction is set to get underway after Winter.

21 April 2023

Snowy Valleys Councillors yesterday unanimously endorsed the Tumut Aerodrome Master Plan.

Following the exhibition period spanning 20 February to 20 March 2023, a total of 45 responses were received and three items triggered a change to the Master Plan. For more information on submission responses click here to download the meeting paper and view the report on page 46.

To download the final Master Plan click here.

Council is working to finalise the agreement with NSW Rural Fire Service for the construction of a Fire Control Centre at the Tumut Aerodrome site.

14 February 2023

Council has received a project timeline extension to June 2024. The variation allows time to for the master planning process and to carry out the complex land acquisition process.

Following the announcement of $12.5M for a runway extension, lighting and other improvements proposed under the Tumut Aerodrome Stage 2 Infrastructure Improvement project, as well as a new Fire Control Centre (FCC) proposed for NSW Rural Fire Service at Tumut Aerodrome, Council recognised that the 2015 Tumut Aerodrome Master Plan would need to be updated. Council engaged Aviation Projects to incorporate these new developments and other demands on the site into a new Master Plan for Tumut Aerodrome.

The Master Plan will be considered for placement on public exhibition by Council at the 16 February Council Meeting.

The land issues will be considered by Council in a confidential report of the same meeting.

9 February 2023

The work to finalise the way forward for the construction of a Fire Control Centre at the Tumut Aerodrome continues, with Snowy Valleys Council and NSW Rural Fire Service representatives meeting again this week. Click here to read the full media release.

The Master Plan will be considered for placement on public exhibition by Council at the 16 February Council Meeting. To view the meeting agenda and business papers visit www.svc.nsw.gov.au/16-Feb-2023

Stage two of the Aerodrome upgrade project is now in the planning stages.

Statutory approvals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), for consideration of the constraints of the Tumut Aerodrome, are currently being progressed.

Professional contractors and consultants have been engaged in the areas of airport planning, civil and hydraulic design, geotechnical engineering, pavement design, environmental assessment, land acquisition, aeronautical ground lighting design and construction, and Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) surveyors.

Concept plans have been presented to stakeholders and further community liaison is planned for early 2022.

27 July 2021

Tumut Aerodrome upgraded will help to improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers in the Snowy Valleys.

The first phase of the project was completed last month. 130 metres of pipeline has been installed to improve drainage and 1200 metres of animal proof fencing has been erected.

Construction and sealing of the 100 metre taxiway and apron area has also been completed . The project will be finalised with some minor drainage works and top soiling when weather permits.

New fencing

Taxiway sealing works