National award recognises best Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) airport 

Shellharbour Airport has been awarded Small Regional RPT Airport of the Year in the National Airport Industry Awards. The airport was also highly commended for sustainability in the Airport Excellence Awards category. 

The Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards celebrate and honour contributions and achievements made by AAA members over the past financial year.  

The awards acknowledge the organisations and individuals who have achieved excellence within Australia’s airport industry.

Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, Shellharbour City Council oversaw significant growth in the airport precinct as part of a $20.35 million upgrade project, creating a truly world class regional airport. 

Works included the newly built passenger terminal, renewal of the main runway, upgrades to the cross runway, taxiways and additional aircraft parking space.  

Shellharbour Airport also reached major milestones in tackling climate change by reducing emissions as an ecologically sustainable development by adopting best practice solutions. 

During construction of the passenger terminal, a rigorous sustainable design filter with passive design principles was applied, creating a comfortable and healthy environment, with the intent of reducing ongoing energy usage and associated running costs. 

The use of natural resources and a range of energy and water saving initiatives were incorporated during the design and build of the terminal and car parking facilities. This will help reduce the airport’s carbon footprint as part of Shellharbour City Council’s commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050. 

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. 

The strategic development by Shellharbour City Council will enable the airport to grow and foster opportunities for future economic development, tourism and jobs growth. 

Shellharbour City Council CEO Carey McIntyre said that the national awards recognised the vision and commitment of the Council towards both economic growth and sustainability. 

“The new passenger terminal delivers the comfort and high quality facilities that commercial airline passengers require and expect. Its functionality and aesthetic is important to the future of the region. 

“The upgrades to the airport project will benefit the entire region, including Shellharbour City residents and the wider Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands communities.  

“The project’s success would not have been possible without the engagement of RCP, MODE Architects and their design principles and initiatives that were identified and adopted prior to and throughout the construction build.  

“We have an excellent, reliable commercial service provider in Link Airways, which links our airport to Melbourne (via Essendon) and Brisbane. We look forward to the ongoing success of these services as travel restrictions continue to ease,” Mr McIntyre said. 

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008