NPARC Mayor Robert Poi Poi (second from right) at the airport with staff Mervyn Bond and Michael Babia, as well as airport manager Damien Elu. Photo: NPARC.
Long-awaited upgrades to Bamaga airport in the Northern Peninsula Area have been flagged to begin in the coming months.
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) has announced design work is underway on terminal upgrades at Northern Peninsula Airport and construction is expected to begin in August.
Rehabilitation of the airport’s runway is due to start in July next year and construction on that project is expected to take about three months, weather permitting.
The Federal and Queensland governments provided $18.16 million for the runway upgrade, while the total cost of the airport overhaul is about $32 million, according to a previous council statement.
Terminal upgrades include installing air conditioning, renovating flooring, closing in walls, painting, expanding the seating area and adding modern seating.
A new entrance and check-in area is also set to be built to enhance security.
The council confirmed there would be “no works on the runway in 2026 – with no disruption to travel in 2026”.
Community leaders and politicians have long been calling for the runway to be upgraded. In 2022, then-Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the runway was “dangerous and it’s only going to get worse”.
Northern Peninsula Airport.
“There are a few thousand people living up there. They have every right to a safe, accessible airstrip. Are we going to wait until somebody dies?” he said.
The council said on Tuesday (21 April) it had gone to tender for the runway work following an expression of interest process and that two contractors were selected to submit for the project.
A site visit, part of the tender process, was scheduled for Thursday (23 April).
Contractors are due to meet with stakeholders, including local businesses that may be able to provide services.
NPARC Mayor Robert Poipoi said: “Once the tender process is finalised and a contractor is appointed, we will have a clearer understanding of the project timeline.”
“The council will then organise community information sessions across the Northern Peninsula Area to keep the community informed and engaged,” he said.
The council said it was committed to keeping the public updated “to ensure minimal disruption and maximum community benefit”.
Passengers should expect changes around check-in and departure procedures during the terminal upgrade. More details are due when the design phase concludes.
