AIR travellers at Tamworth can take a peek at the concept plans for the airport upgrade.
Large format printed concept layout plans for car park and traffic improvements at Tamworth Regional Airport are now on display in the foyer of Ray Walsh House, Tamworth.
Tamworth Regional Council announced a $1.2 million airport upgrade last month to improve traffic flow and parking availability including the introduction of a user-pays system for short-term car parking.
The project includes widening the footpath adjoining the terminal to improve the set-down and pick-up areas, a new taxi turning area, waiting bays for six taxis and two bus bays, improved lighting, installation of closed circuit television surveillance, the addition of 18 spaces to the short term car park (taking the total of spaces to 174) and the installation of boom gates to both the short term car park and the segregated 32-space rental car parking area.
There will also be a covered walkway from the terminal through the short term car park to the long term car park.
Tamworth councillors approved the introduction of paid short-term car parking as part of the 2014/15 annual operational plan, which was formally endorsed in June, but the installation of boom gates and other work needs to be completed first.
The fee structure includes free parking for the first hour followed by a charge of $2.50 an hour to a maximum of $15 a day or $65 a week.
Free parking will remain at the long-term car park on the southern side of Basil Brown Drive.
There is the potential to double the size of the long-term car park, which has 70 spaces, but it is not part of the current proposal.
Tamworth Regional Airport manager Julie Stewart said construction plans were close to being finalised, but council was keen to give residents and airport users a chance to see the concept layout plans.
"There is now a set of concept layout plans at council’s main office in Peel Street and soon they will also be on display at the airport," she said.
"The project is planned to be completed before June 30 next year, so we hope to start construction before the end of the year."
For details about the airport upgrade, email: airportcarpark@tamworth.nsw.gov.au