Gold Coast Airport has unveiled incredible plans to completely transform the precinct in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics.
The short-term vision includes a light rail link to an expanded terminal, a larger hotel area and a giant retail village complete with a health and wellness hub.
While the Airport’s long-term goals include plans to include a heavy rail link at the Bilinga site.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the Airport’s vision is to “reinvent itself as a destination within its own right”.
“We want to be more than an airport, we’re committed to creating a mixed-use precinct that would further benefit the local community, with the addition of a retail village, health and wellness hub and a conference and tech centre,” she said.
“The upgrades proposed under this Master Plan are about embracing innovation and new technologies that will revolutionise air travel and enhance the customer experience.
“We’ve placed a strong focus on accessibility, ensuring the airport precinct is seamlessly connected with the rest of the city with the delivery of a public front-of-terminal plaza servicing both light and heavy rail,” Ms Evans said.
Gold Coast Airport is the country’s sixth busiest airport, currently welcoming more than 6.2 million passengers a year and contributing $514 million to the local economy.
By 2044, that number is set to soar to around 13 million passengers annually, creating more than $965 million in economic contribution.
Community consultation for the 2024 Draft Master Plan kicks off today, with Gold Coasters being encouraged to have their say here.
The public consultation period will remain open until June 14, before the plans are submitted to the Federal Government to consider.
A number of community information sessions are also be held across the city, with the first being held this week.
Community Information Sessions:
20 March – The Strand Shopping Centre 12:15pm-2:00pm AEST
25 March – Currumbin RSL 5:30pm-7:00pm AEST
26 March – The Pines Elanora Shopping Centre 10:15am-12:00pm AEST
30 April – Tweed City Shopping Centre 11:15am-1:00pm AEST
2 May – Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre 5:30pm-7:00pm AEST
