* jj, 4USTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
SPEECH AT DARWIN AIRPORT 16 October 1984
E& OE PROOF ONLY
RM: I am this Darwin Airport development
project. The commencement of these works will cost more than
million being held as a new chapter in the development of the
Territory and it emphasises the importance my Goverment attaches
to the contribution of the aviation industry contributes to that
development. The size and the location of the Territory coupled
with its limited service transport infrastructure is meant that
you all realise that aviation is often being the lifeline of the
Territory I guess ( inaudible) more obvious than in the tragic
aftermath of the cyclone Tracey in December 1974. increases in
population, the economic activity in recent years in the Northern
Territory due in part to the increasing populatory of the
Territory as a tourist destination have resulted in a rapid growt~ h
in air transport in your areas. And this has particularly
impacted on Darwin itself which is of course! not only the major
population but also the major supply centre. Now while the
existing terminal complex which has survived as we know both war
and cyclone has served the city of Darwin well it has without
question now almost outlived its usefulness. Increasing
conjestion, the standard of the buildings ( inaudible) facilities
have been as we all know the subject of criticism in recent years.
In the light that the vital role of aviation in the Territory and
also Darwin importance as a international gateway the Government
approved this major redevelopment last year. The project which
involves the construction of a new airline terminal'and general
avaiation facilities on the northern side of the airport will
ensure that the Territory finally receives an airport
of international standard as it deserves. Notwithstanding the
pressures and I think you would all be aware of them which have
been imposed upon the Government by competing high priority
programs all over Australia an amount of $ 7.5 million has been
allocated in this current Budget for 1984-85 to allow
construction proceed. Construction which is expected which
( inaudible) to generate 450 on site jobs at its peak in 1986
commenced in June and as you can see the preliminary site works
are now well advanced. The major design work will be finalised
during this financial year 84-85 and contracts will be arranged
for major elements of the project with a view to this facility
being ready for operation late in our Bicentennial year 1988. Now
while the current project is primarily designed to meet the needs
of scheduled operators and their customers it will also be of
importance to general aviation. As you know general aviation has
played and will obviously continue to play a vital role in meeting
the transport and communication of the top end. The new apron and
service sites to be provided on the north side will assist in
enabling this site to discharge that role. In addition a detailed
evaluation of proposed terminal facilities for commuter operatcrs
is also in hand. Upon completion of this work Darwin will have-an
airport of world standard capable of serving the city's needs at
long way into the future. Passengers will be able to enjoy a
modern airconditioned terminal building equipped with aerobridges
2
to enable embarcation and disembarcation in total comfort. The
architects are I believe to be congratulated for a stricking
design which appears to have blended both a feeling of flight and
the delightful lifestyle and environment of t he Territory. I
believe also that a tribute should be paid to the various
Government officers who have been involved in the planning to this
point. These include representatives not onJly of my own
Government Departments of Aviation, Defence and Housing and
Construction but also officials from the Territory Government and
from the Darwin City Council. The Darwin Airport provisional
master plan released in 1983 which canvasses the progressive
development of the airport to serve the Territory's needs well
into the next century is an example of the cooperation and the
necessary cooperation between the three levels of Government:
Federal; Territory and Local. Without such cooperation of course
the needs of the people of the Territory and whatever area of
activity we are talking about will never properly be served.
Darwin has indeed an extremely proud place in the history of
Australian aviation. It has witnessed the arrival and the
departure of many great aviation personalities and it has hosted
many aeronautical milestones. Ladies and Gentlemen the completion
of this project in 1988 will constitute another such milestone in
a very fittihng way and to mark the Bicentennial of Australia. I
certainly in conclusion have very much pride and pleasure in being
associated with you here today in this historic development.
Thank you very much indeed.