Airport Approach Systems Upgraded

Moree Plains Shire Council has embarked on a staged approach to upgrade the Moree Regional Airport to improve the standard of aviation safety, decrease flight turn backs in poor weather and provide opportunities to attract addition aviation services.

Stage One of the airport’s critical infrastructure upgrades include planning, design and delivery of airport runway lights, and taxiway and apron lights to improve aviation safety in compliance with current air transport requirements.

Executive Projects Manager John Carleton explained one component of the improved lighting is the installation of a Precision Approach Path Indicator system (PAPI) at the north and south ends of the main runway.

“The PAPI is a visual aid that provides guidance information to help pilots acquire and maintain the correct approach (vertical and horizontal movements) to the aerodrome. They are located approximately 300 metres beyond the landing threshold of the runway.”

“Considering Moree’s reactive soil types, a special footing design was prepared with reinforced concrete piles to depths of 2.75 metres. The footing design was also peer reviewed for quality assurances and received a conforming assessment,” said Mr Carleton.

The funding for the project has come from the NSW State Government’s Restart NSW Fund, the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund and Moree Plains Shire Council.

The lighting upgrades enhance Moree Regional Airport’s current status as a hub for the northwest region of New South Wales and ensures that Regular Public Transport (RPT) services continue unimpeded with a higher degree of reliability.