There is a dedicated Emergency Plan and Emergency Management Committee for the airport. The Aerodrome Emergency Management Committee meet as required to review the Emergency Plan and an annual emergency exercise is conducted to test the various aspects of the plan.
The Airport is also a regional base for emergency services. A new Regional Control Centre for the Rural Fire Service was completed in 2009. NSW Ambulance (CHC Helicopter Rescue), the NSW Fire Brigade emergency rescue training facility and the Australian Aerial Patrol operate from the airport with the Shellharbour SES expected to relocate in the future.
In the beginning
The airport was constructed as an RAAF pilot training facility during World War II. Initially, Trans Australian and Australian National Airlines ran services through Albion Park Airport to Canberra and Melbourne however these services were withdrawn in 1950. Low-key general aviation operations continued including civilian pilot training.
1960 to 1990
In 1960 Council was granted permissive occupancy of the aerodrome and in 1962 the ownership was transferred under the Commonwealth Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan (ALOP). Included in the ownership was the responsibility on Council to operate and maintain the aerodrome in compliance with CASA standards and that the aerodrome remain open to public use and permit open, unrestricted and non-discriminatory access by airline and aircraft operators. HM Queen Elizabeth II visited the airport in 1970 as part of her tour of Australia.
Various charter and RPT flight services as well as training and maintenance facilities operated from the 1970’s to the 1990’s. The National Safety Council and later the NSW Health Department operated helicopter rescue operations from Illawarra Regional Airport.
The Commonwealth Government withdrew from the local ownership plan in 1990 leaving Council with the full responsibility for care and control of the airport. Council became solely responsible for developing, operating and maintaining the aerodrome, resulting in the annual maintenance and operational costs effectively doubling for Council through this arrangement, as financial subsidies were no longer received.
A management study, completed by aviation consultants in 1990 provided a framework for future management and development for the airport. A master plan was prepared and still forms the basis for current development proposals. A number of studies and business surveys have been carried out to support development works and other initiatives aimed at establishing a commercially viable facility, which provides a range of services to the public.
1998 to 2005
In 1998 infrastructure development was carried out at the airport, which included construction of the current Terminal Building, improvement to roads and utility services and navigational aids. In 2000 the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) commenced development of their hangar and museum. RPT services were operated by Impulse Airlines to and from Illawarra Regional Airport and Melbourne and Newcastle, up until August 2000.
In 2005 an upgrade to the main runway was undertaken to allow aircraft up to 25 tonnes to category 2C standards. Works included the reconstruction of the 1800m long main runway, strengthening taxiways, replacement and upgrading of the runway/taxiway lighting and line marking and aircraft approach path indicator systems. An upgrade of the existing terminal building was also carried out, which included the provision of an 80 seat alfresco dining area.
In order to meet new security requirements under the Aviation Security Act (2004) an upgrade to security at the airport was completed, which included installation of man-proof fencing around the perimeter of the airport’s operational areas, floodlighting, CCTV, special locking systems on gates and new security systems within the terminal building.
Also in 2005 then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard officially opened Shellharbour City’s $1.3 million Light Aeronautics Industry Cluster at the Airport. Mr Howard unveiled five hangars, which will form the region’s first aeronautics business park.
QantasLink commenced an RPT service to and from Melbourne using Dash-8 aircraft in June 2005. QantasLink withdrew this service in 2008 as they belived it was unviable due to the increase in fuel costs.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service completed the construction of the Regional Rural Fire Service Control Centre in 2009. This facility, located adjacent to the NSW Fire Brigade Training Centre, complements the other emergency services that operate within the airport. The new facility is also the Emergency Control Centre for the Kiama/Shellharbour areas.
There are limited development sites still available for hangar development for aviation businesses. These sites have public road access and direct access to a code C taxiway.
The future
A new masterplan for the airport will be prepared in the near future. Airport consultants will be engaged to determine the type of aircraft that can operate off the main runway and maintain terrain clearance subject to additional aircraft performance criteria specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for licensing aircraft types for Regular Public Transport (RPT) operations.
The next stage will be assessing the existing infrastructure to determine its capacity to service the aircraft types identified. This includes the runway, taxiways, aircraft parking and loading area, and the passenger terminal facilities. If these facilities require upgrade or relocation then options and costings will be prepared for consideration in the new master plan. This process will be monitored by the Airport Management Advisory Committee, who will make recommendations to Council. Community consultation, through a public exhibition process, will be an important part of the process leading up to the adoption of a new airport master plan.
Main Runway – 16/34
- North/South facing runway
- Available for day and night landing in accordance with Fly Neighbourly Practices. For information on Fly Neighbourly Practices refer to factsheet under Related Files.
Secondary Runway – 08/26
- East/West facing runway
- There are no nighttime operations on runway 08/26
- A non-precision approach (GPS) is available
For further details refer to published pilot information on the AirServices Australia website.
Illawarra Regional Airport is located at Airport Road off the Princes Highway, Albion Park Rail.
Albion Park Rail is a suburb of Shellharbour City, which forms part of the Illawarra Region.
The Airport is located just over an hours drive south of Sydney (approx. 100km) and about 20 minutes south of Wollongong.
For information and contact details for businesses operating at the airport see the All businesses factsheet under Related Files.
Contact Council
The Illawarra Regional Airport (Wollongong Aerodrome) is a Licensed Aerodrome owned and managed by Shellharbour City Council and operated under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Feel free to Contact us via our online customer enquiry form.
Postal Address:
Illawarra Regional Airport
Locked Bag 155
Shellharbour City Centre NSW 2529
| ENQUIRY |
CONTACT |
| General Airport Enquiries |
Shellharbour City Council
Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
(02) 4221 6111
|
| Complaints about flying activities |
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
Phone: 131 757 |
After hours number
(Urgent Airport Matters Only) |
Shellharbour City Council
Phone: (02) 4221 6111 |
| Emergency |
Phone: 000 |
Airport Working Party
Community Representatives |
Neville Pearson - Phone: 0448 318 133
Email: kencrest@bigpond.net.au
Bruce Ryan - Phone: 0409 127 689
|
| Automatic Weather Station |
Phone: (02) 4256 0312 |