A contract for the design of the Mount Beauty Airport Upgrade has been awarded, bringing the project one step closer to taking flight.
In a statement, Alpine Shire Council said contractors were “currently working through the challenges to overcome and satisfy conflicting design objectives” for both the aviation and floodplain management requirements.
Alpine Shire Council Director Assets, Will Jeremy said early indications suggested that the concept design, which involves extending the runway by 600m into the Kiewa River (east branch) floodplain, would need to be modified to reduce the impact of flooding.
“Our contractors are working closely with North East Catchment Management Authority to compile and analyse the flood impact assessment,” he said
“With the runway extension pushing into the east branch floodplain, the impact of the construction on future extreme flood events will be carefully considered.”
Several options are being explored to reduce the earthwork required to construct the runway extension.
“Council has accepted approximately 2,000m3 of fill material to be stockpiled within the airport grounds which will be used throughout the construction of the runway extension,” Mr Jeremy said.
“The closure and transfer of the unused Government road currently bisecting the airport land is also underway.”
Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2021, with runway completion anticipated by the end of March 2022.
