GOONDIWINDI Regional Council has completed a major apron and taxiway expansion at Goondiwindi Airport, delivering critical infrastructure to meet growing demand for private aviation facilities in the region.

The $500,000 project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme and Goondiwindi Regional Council.

The works include a 2000 square-metre extension of the airport apron and taxiway, along with the construction of 250 metres of internal access roads.

Council engaged a local supplier to provide the pavement materials.

The upgrades enable access to seven sites where private aircraft hangars can now be developed, significantly boosting the airport’s capacity to support local aviation.

Councillor Jason Watts said the project is a direct response to community feedback and a clear need for more hangar space.

“We met with users of McIntyre Aero Club and local aviation users, and the message was clear that more hangar space is needed,” Cr Watts said.

“This work creates the foundation to enable future private development.”

A major apron and taxiway expansion at the Goondiwindi Airport has been completed.

Cr Watts said the project is not an extension of the existing runway, but is a key step in meeting rising demand from aircraft owners and local aviation users.

“This is part of a long-term strategic vision for the site, aimed at strengthening Goondiwindi Airport’s role as a regional transport and economic asset,” Cr Watts said.

“This is a strategic investment that meets current community needs while positioning the airport for future growth.”

Mayor Lawrence Springborg said it is unlikely a commercial airport will be established in Goondiwindi anytime soon, with regional airports across the country relying heavily on funding from state and federal government to keep them operational.

“The private use of our airport, however, continues to go from strength to strength,” Cr Springborg said.

The expansion will align with Council’s broader vision for future airport development, as outlined in the recently finalised Goondiwindi Airport Precinct Master Plan.

The plan will guide long-term development and help position the airport as a regional hub for aviation, including potential fly-in-fly-out workforce operations.

The project also follows a series of recent infrastructure upgrades at the Goondiwindi aerodrome, including a $400,000 electrical cabling upgrade in 2023, the installation of 60 new runway lights and an illuminated windsock in 2021, and prior reconstruction of the apron at the parking and refuelling area following damage caused by the November 2021 floods.