Project Update: $225m Sunshine Coast Airport upgrade contract awarded to John Holland

Following the release of our project spotlight on the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion, it has been announced that John Holland has secured a $225 million contract to build a key piece in the project.

Construction firm, John Holland Group, has been selected as a major construction partner in the Maroochydore CBD project after being the winner of five shortlisted bids.

The firm is tasked with the construction of a new 2,450m x 45m runway which is capable of handling aircrafts up to the size of an Airbus A330 or Boeing 787.

The expansion is set to create 2230 jobs on the Sunshine Coast and produce a return of $4.1 billion to its economy over the next 20 years.

According to Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, the build is his council’s largest construction project.

“The new runway will accommodate larger, more fuel-efficient aircraft and open up direct access for the Sunshine Coast to more Australian cities, international markets in Asia and the Western Pacific and in turn, drive significant economic growth,” Cr Jamieson said.

“The Airport Expansion project will contribute $4.1 billion to the local economy over the period to 2040, generate around 2230 jobs in our community, help boost tourism, enable visitors from many locations to gain direct access to the region and support our local export businesses - particularly those operating in the food and agribusiness sectors – to access new markets,” said cr Jamieson.

John Holland Group Chief Executive Officer, Joe Barr, said the company was excited to partner with the the Sunshine Coast Council to support the region’s continued growth.

“The Sunshine Coast is a magnificent part of the world and we are pleased to be part of the journey on this significant project for the future of the region,” Mr Barr said.

Cr Jamieson reported that the airport expansion intialitally was estimated to cost $347 million but the council is now very confident the project would be delivered closer to $300 million.

“This is largely due to the terminal expansion being taken over by the airport operator Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd.

“We can build this new runway for our future without passing any enduring financial burden onto our community.”

The projects early works continued well throughout 2017 with the completion of the Finland Road upgrade to prepare the road for heavy vehicle traffic, clearing the centreline and the relocation of the water main and power lines.

John Holland Group is expected to start preparing the project site for the dredging works which are set to commence mid-year.

The expansion project remains on track for completion by Christmas 2020.

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