Tumut Aerodrome Infrastructure Upgrade
Project Overview – Completed
The Tumut Aerodrome upgrade is now complete and was officially opened on Saturday 21 March, marking a major milestone for Snowy Valleys Council and the wider community.
The opening formed part of a free community day delivered in partnership with the Tumut Aerodrome Committee, attracting hundreds of attendees who enjoyed flying displays, static aircraft exhibits and the official ceremony.
Mayor Julia Ham welcomed guests including Dr Joe McGirr MP, The Hon. Michael McCormack MP and Superintendent Jon Gregory (RFS), and acknowledged all those involved in delivering the project. She described the occasion as a significant milestone for the region, highlighting the importance of building back better following the 2019–20 bushfires.
The completed upgrade strengthens the Aerodrome’s critical role in regional aerial firefighting and emergency response, while also supporting aeromedical operations and improving overall aviation capability.
Key works delivered include:
- Extension of the runway, increasing take-off distance by 90 metres and landing distance by 30 metres
- Pavement strengthening and widening of the runway to 23 metres to accommodate Code 2 aircraft
- Permanent pilot-activated runway lighting, enabling night operations
- Extension of the southern parallel taxiway to improve operational efficiency
- Upgrades to taxiway, drainage, lighting and control systems
These improvements enhance regional emergency response capability, improve resilience, and support safer and more efficient aviation operations across the region.
Funding
This project was awarded $12.5m from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund delivered under the jointly funded Australian and NSW Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
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Construction Set to Begin
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20 December 2024
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Contractor Appointed
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25 November 2024
At the November 2024 Ordinary Meeting, Council awarded a contractor to carry out the Tumut Aerodrome upgrades and work will get underway in the new year.
Upgrades include:
- 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
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Tender Now Open
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14 October 2024
The Request for Tenders for the Tumut Aerodrome Upgrade is now open and will close on Monday, 4 November 2024. A report on the tenders will be presented at the 21 November Ordinary Council Meeting, with construction expected to begin shortly thereafter.
Following Council's decision in December 2023 to proceed with Option 3, Council staff undertook detailed design development using specialist engineering consultants to prepare documentation suitable for tender and construction.
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Council Approves Revised Project Scope
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18 December 2023
An options analysis report was present to Councillors at the 14 December 2023 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
At the August 2023 Ordinary Meeting, it was reported that proceeding with the initial design and a 240-metre runway extension would require $17 million in flood mitigation works.
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Council prepares to release Aerodrome Master Plan for review
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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
