Broome Airport is now home to a new state-of-the-art joint air safety and emergency response facility – the first of its kind in Australia.
Airservices Australia has constructed a new high tech air traffic control tower which stands over 16 metres high and is built to withstand cyclones. It will monitor and control the airspace around Broome Airport and keep planes and their passengers safe in the air and on the ground.
The new tower is fitted out with the latest technology that sees digital, touch-screen air traffic control consoles replace the traditional ‘paper strips’ used around the world.
The tower combines flight and operational data, surveillance and voice communications into a single integrated system, which will result in improvements to safety and efficiency.
Three high visibility fire fighting vehicles will also be stationed at the facility to handle any emergency situations that arise. Fully loaded with their 10,000 litre capacity, they weigh 30 tonnes and can shoot water 80 metres.
The new $20 million joint Air Traffic Control and Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting centre is the first of its kind in the nation.
With Broome Airport already handling over 400,000 passengers a year and growth expected to continue in both the mining and tourism sectors, this facility will enable the safe management of air traffic at Broome to continue for many years to come.
Airservices Australia is investing nearly $1 billion over five years in air navigation, surveillance, air traffic management and aviation rescue and fire fighting projects.
Broome is one of four new towers being constructed by Airservices, with Melbourne, Adelaide and Rockhampton airports also receiving new facilities. The remaining 24 towers around Australia are receiving upgrades and refurbishments.
The construction of these facilities will equip Australia with world class aviation infrastructure for the future, helping us to deliver on our highest aviation priority – safety.