Contractor Symal Infrastructure worked with local companies on the first stage of environmental protections plans. During low tide periods they constructed an outer rock perimeter containing additional environmental protection. Work to construct the rest of the southern platform will continue until Christmas, council said.

During this time, passenger airlines are providing services on a temporarily shortened runway at the southern end in order to provide a safe working environment for the platform works. Emergency services flights, such as aeromedical flights, and the two daily freight flights are continuing as normal.

Other users, including general aviation and light aircraft, have been restricted to take-offs and landings outside working hours on weekdays, after 1pm on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. Special arrangements have been made for businesses that operate from the airport.

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Council said it understood it was inconvenient and was grateful for everyone's patience during the works.

The works at the southern end of the runway are due for completion December 18, weather permitting, and the runway will return to full operation from Monday, December 20.

Work on the new general aviation precinct with its own entrance and exit will also pick up in the run up to Christmas and continue into the New Year. These works are being co-ordinated with the runway renewal and strengthening works, which will involve an intense period of work across a six-week runway closure period that will start on January 31. These works are being scheduled to avoid impacts on the Christmas/summer high demand period for passenger airline flights.

The runway extension is subject to a DA and Environmental Impact Statement. All other works are being undertaken via a Review of Environmental Factors.

The projects are funded through two grants from the Commonwealth Government, two grants from the NSW government, and some council funds. They are scheduled for completion in May 2022.

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