Deniliquin Airport Runway and Lighting Upgrade

Work on upgrades to the sealed runway at the Deniliquin Airport is on track with construction commencing late May. Civil works and electrical upgrades are well underway and proceeding well.

Aircraft movements are continuing with local aircraft and external operators using the second (grass) runway as the alternative for the duration of the project. 

All users continue to be consulted about the works underway, and contractors are working closely with users.

Pilots are continuing their normal practice of safe operation by using the airport ERSA and NOTAMs as well as weather and other operational conditions to decide their take-off and landing requirements.

Our project team is in constant communication with local users to minimise any disruption and ensure all services are continuing to operate.

Construction is due to commence on the Deniliquin airport runway on May 29 and will continue until 27 September 2023. Runway 06/24 will be closed for the construction period.

During construction, Council and the contractor will manage a program of communication with airport users to manage safety, access and works notifications:

1. Local airport users will be kept up to date with Council staff on site throughout the works
2. Aircraft operators will be notified with regular notices (NOTAMs) to advise of restrictions to airport facilities
3. markers will be placed to indicate any part of the taxiway, runway or apron that cannot be used by aircraft
4. changes in traffic to local roads will be minimal and advised in advance.

Deni Ute Muster air traffic will not be affected as the runway will reopen prior to the event.

The runway works are programmed to begin around 1 June 2023, and take 4 months to complete. Council will endeavour to minimise disruption to local users of the airport, noting that safety is the highest priority and there will be times the second runway may be out of service.

Council will issue notices (NOTAM's) of the works program, to ensure pilots are aware of specified restrictions in place at the Deniliquin Airport during construction.

The runway works are well progressed, and the fine weather is helping the program. Sub-grade stabilisation trials have been successful. 

Stage 1 is well progressed with crushed rock being placed for the sub-base. Stabilisation of this layer underway in August. 

Stage 2 has commenced with sub-grade stabilisation. 

The Airport Runway Upgrade is progressing very well. We have caught up on progress that was hindered by the rain. The sub-base is almost done, and stabilisation complete. Great results on the strength tests, and preparation for the lighting is going in. Intersection works are starting on Monday 21 August which marks the beginning of Stage 3. There has been a bit of discussion around closing the intersection but this is all planned and has been communicated to all the airport users. During Stage 3 of works, the intersection of the two runways will close and the portion of the grass runway described as 30 will close and the portion of the grass runway described as 12 will remain open. This is described in the method of work plan sent to all stakeholders.

The third layer of the pavement (gravel) is almost complete. Sealing will be the next step in the pavement construction after the Ute Muster. 

Works Underway: 

• Preparation of pavement prior to sealing 
• Finalise tie ins to sealed taxiway and grass runway 
• Form batters, drainage, contouring
• Electrical and lighting work continues 
• Check for defects or issues

After Ute Muster (from 2 October 2023) we will undertake:

• Final preparation prior to sealing, plus any final trim following Ute Muster aircraft usage
• Primer seal, cure and condition 
• Two coat 10/7 seal, then cure 
• Line marking and runway lights fitted 
• Commissioning of electrical and lighting 
• Inspections, defects, tidy up and de-mobilisation 
• Opening 

The third player of the pavement (gravel) is almost complete. Sealing will be the next sep in the pavement construction after the Ute Muster. It was a challenging start in June, with heavy rain and deep boggy conditions and delays due to wet weather. Stabilisation trials developed a construction method that resulted in:

• The new pavement being 600mm thick with 500mm of that being stabilised in two layers
• One layer stabilised with a "triple blend" and one layer stabilised with cement
• Strength tests are exceeding design 

Work Underway: 

• Preparation of pavement prior to sealing 
• Finalise tie ins to sealed taxiway and grass runway 
• Form batters, drainage and contouring 
• Electrical and lighting works continue 
• Check for defects or issues 

After the Ute Muster: 

• Final preparation prior to sealing, plus any final trim following Ute Muster aircraft usage 
• Primer seal, cure and condition 
• Two coat 10/7 seal, then cure 
• Line marketing and runway lights fitted 
• Commissioning of electrical and lighting 
• Inspections, defects, tidy up and de-mobilisation 
• Opening 

Runway Restrictions: Current until noon Sunday 24 September 2023

• Closed: Runway 06/24
• Closed: Main (sealed) taxiway off runway 06/24
• Closed: Grass Runway 12/30 south of intersection 
• Available: Grass Runway 12/30 north of intersection 

Runway Restrictions: Proposed from noon Sunday 24 September - Sunday 1 October 2023 

• Closed: Runway 06/24
• Closed: Main (sealed) taxiway off runway 06/24
• Available: Grass Runway 12/30
• Available: Taxiway of runway off 12/30 north of intersection 

Runway Restrictions: Proposed from noon Sunday 1 October until completion of works (Estimated 22 October 2023)

• Closed: Runway 06/24
• Closed: Main (sealed) taxiway off runway 06/24
• Closed: Grass Runway 12/30 south of intersection 
• Available: Grass Runway 12/30 north of intersection 
• Available: Taxiway of runway off 12/30 north of intersection