Minister unveils Brisbane Airport’s $350-million upgrade

28-Aug-2012 Brisbane Airport's Domestic Terminal Precinct upgrade was officially opened today by The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon. Anthony Albanese.

The $350-million Domestic Terminal Precinct upgrade includes an expansion to the Central Area Satellite and terminal aprons, construction of a new nine-storey car park, an elevated Skywalk, new forecourt area and central taxi rank, and reconfiguration of the road network in front of the terminal.

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) Chairman Bill Grant said BAC takes very seriously its responsibility to provide travellers with the best possible facilities available and a truly intermodal Domestic Terminal precinct.

"Brisbane Airport is not just Brisbane's Airport. It's the front door for Queensland and that's why we are so proud of projects such as this significant upgrade of the Domestic Terminal.

"A great deal of money was invested here but the result speaks for itself. These are truly world class facilities for the world class city Brisbane has become," Mr Grant said.

With the upgrade mostly complete travellers have easy access to bus, train, limousine, taxi and pre-booked transport options, as well as private vehicle parking and drop-off/pick-up, off airport parking, car rental options, car washing services, Premium, Valet and Guaranteed parking space, short-term parking and long-term parking, over-height vehicle parking, inter-Terminal bus and Translink bus services.

More than 16 million passengers currently travel through Brisbane's Domestic Terminal each year, with a good proportion of those visitors travelling onward to all parts of Queensland.

Brisbane Airport's International Terminal is also the source of two thirds of all international visitors to Queensland.

"Two in every three international visitors exploring Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef today came through Brisbane and the same can be said of our neighbouring tourism mecca, the Gold Coast," Mr Grant said. "Brisbane Airport is as much their major airport as it is this city's."

Playing such an important role, as the gateway to Queensland, Brisbane Airport has ensured it doesn't just act the part, but looks it as well with the installation of an eight-storey kinetic artwork on the eastern side of its new car park.

The 5000sqm art work titled 'Turbulent line' is the result of collaboration with American artist Ned Kahn who flew in from the USA to attend the official opening.

Viewed from the exterior, the car park's entire eastern side appears to ripple fluidly as the wind activates 250,000 suspended aluminium panels. As it responds to the ever-changing patterns of the wind, the façade creates a direct interface between the built and natural environments.

While the construction period for the upgrade was lengthy, a considerable amount of planning was done to ensure these major works were completed in stages to make sure the airport maintained its 24/7 operating status throughout.

"We're very thankful to the millions of people travelling through the airport in the past couple of years who have been very patient throughout the build.

"It's been a significant project that will ensure Brisbane Airport is well prepared to manage the 33 million passengers we anticipate will be travelling through the Domestic Terminal by 2029," Mr Grant said.

Project Fast Facts

Domestic Terminal - Central Area Satellite

• The central area terminal, used by Jetstar, Tiger and other airlines, now has a completed 'satellite', similar to those at the Qantas and Virgin Australia terminals, increasing the number of aircraft gates from two to seven, new food and beverage facilities, improved energy efficiency and space for offices.

Domestic Terminal Multi-level car park

• The new nine-level car park at the Domestic terminal provides more than 5,000 new undercover car parks, bringing the total number of car park spaces within the Domestic Terminal Precinct to around 9,000.
• It is the largest single-structure car park in the southern hemisphere.

Domestic Terminal Skywalk and road network re-configuration

• The Domestic Terminal Skywalk connects the terminal with the car parks passing over the busy road system. Access to the Skywalk includes lifts, travelators and escalators to take patrons to the ground immediately outside the Domestic Terminal.
• The reconfiguration of the road network at the Domestic Terminal has increased the number of accessible roads in front of the terminal separating private vehicles from taxis, buses and other ground transport operators.

Public Pick-Up Area

• The new Public Pick-Up Area is within walking distance from the central face of the Domestic Terminal.
• With 221 car bays, drivers are allowed 20 minutes FREE parking while they wait to collect arriving passengers.