Mount Beauty Airport Upgrade

Image courtesy of Mark Bland

Quick Look

Budget: $3.3 million

Current stage: Completed

View Mount Beauty Airport Upgrade Plans

Not currently open for consultation

About the project

Upgrades to the Mount Beauty Airport will support the essential firefighting efforts and allow for improved access for Air Ambulance Victoria fixed-wing aircraft.

Works include:

• Lengthening of the existing runway by 600m
• Widening of the runway from 10m to 18m
• A new asphalt surface
• Upgrade of drainage infrastructure at the site
• New fencing for much of the airport perimeter

An upgraded runway will improve access for Forest Fire Management and other fire-fighting services, providing greater flexibility for fire management services to manage local and regional emergencies.

What will this project achieve?

• Improved access for Air Ambulance Victoria fixed-wing aircraft
• Runway capacity for upgraded Air Ambulance Victoria fixed-wing aircraft and maintaining access for the Kiewa Valley community
• Improved access for Forest Fire Management and other fire-fighting services, providing greater flexibility for fire management services to manage local and regional fires
• A fantastic opportunity for a partnership approach involving multiple levels of government to deliver critical emergency services infrastructure to significantly increase the resilience of the region.

Council has secured a $1.55 million Regional Airports Program Grant towards the cost of this project.

Latest Update 

January 2023 | Project update

Mount Beauty Airport is ready for takeoff, with major works recently completed and the runway now open for use.

The $3.3 million upgrade project included lengthening the existing runway by 600 metres and widening it by 8 metres, constructing a new surface, an upgrade to drainage infrastructure at the site, and new fencing for much of the airport perimeter.

At 18 metres wide and just over 1.5km in length, the runway now has the capacity to service a wide range of light and emergency aircraft. 

The upgraded runway will also improve access for Forest Fire Management and other fire-fighting services, providing greater flexibility for fire management services to manage local and regional emergencies, as well as improved access for Air Ambulance Victoria fixed-wing aircraft.

The upgrades will provide an economic boost for the region, with an expected increase in recreational flights to and from the airport.

Some minor works are still to be completed and will be addressed whilst the facility is open for use with only minor inconvenience to users anticipated.

Project Timeline & Milestones

Jan 2023 - Major works completed and airport reopened for use

April 2022 - Council approved variation to the construction contract for treatment of the runway extension subgrade

Nov 2021 - Construction commenced

Feb 2021 - Contract for the detailed design of the Mount Beauty Airport Upgrade awarded

Sep 2020 - Online engagement session held and feedback sought on draft concept designs

June 2020 - $1.55 million in funding secured for the airport upgrade from the Federal Government’s Regional Airports Program