Shellharbour Airport’s new passenger terminal will be operational next week, less than 12 months after work on the project began.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward broke ground on the project in March last year.

The new terminal will have provisions for retail and cafe space, and capacity for 200 passengers.

The terminal and car parks represent a $7.8 million investment into the airport upgrade project.

Runway upgrades were completed last year during the COVID lockdown period. This work included renewal of the main runway, upgrades to the cross runway, taxiways and a new aircraft parking space.

The new passenger terminal and runways works are part of a $20 million airport business plan strategically developed by Shellharbour City Council to enable the airport to grow and foster opportunities for economic development and jobs growth. The development of an aviation business park is central to the plan.

In 2019, Shellharbour City Council received $15.97 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies Fund, as part of the Regional Growth Fund, for additions and upgrades to the airport. Council has invested more than $4.3 million in the project.

Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said the new passenger terminal would deliver the comfort and high quality facilities that commercial airline passengers required and expected.

“The new terminal looks fantastic. I am so pleased with its functionality and aesthetic. Providing excellent facilities that the travelling public expect was of great importance to the future of the region.

“This project is going to benefit the entire region, including Shellharbour City residents and the wider Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands communities.

“We have a wonderful, reliable commercial service provider in Link Airways, which links our airport to Melbourne (via Essendon) and Brisbane.

“This boosts our local economy with increased visitor numbers, as well as offering local residents the convenience of not having to travel to Sydney for air services,” Cr Saliba said.

“I thank the NSW State Government, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward for their support in funding the project,” Cr Saliba said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the new terminal would provide visitors with a great first experience when they touch down and a fantastic final memory when they head home.

“Air travel provides an enormous boost to local economies and convenience for regional communities and I am thrilled that Shoalhaven’s new terminal will be welcoming passengers for the first time next week,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This is exactly the kind of project our $500 million Growing Local Economies Fund is designed to deliver, big picture infrastructure and facilities that deliver new business opportunities and support the creation of new jobs.”

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said the new passenger terminal would not just benefit those who live in the Illawarra, but local businesses that rely on a strong visitor economy.

“As a local MP, I have always worked hard to secure investments that make a real difference for our community. The new passenger terminal will go a long way to better connect our community to nation,” Mr Ward said.

“More than ever before, investments like this generate local jobs but improve travel to and from our region for many years to come. I’d like to congratulate Shellharbour City Council on the completion of the new terminal.”

Link Airways Manager Network Strategy and Development, Jeff Boyd, congratulated Council on the airport upgrades and said the new passenger terminal was a magnificent “jewel in the crown”.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Shellharbour Council over the last two years to deliver reliable, efficient and affordable air services to Melbourne and Brisbane from Shellharbour,” Mr Boyd said.

“The new terminal is a world-standard facility for a regional airport, which will greatly add to the level of service we can provide to people flying with us from Shellharbour to both Melbourne and Brisbane,” he said.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.