New fire station and control tower for Broome

Broome Airport will receive a new $20 million integrated fire station and air traffic control tower which is expected to become operational in 2011.

“As the first combined facility of its kind in Australia, the new, state-of-the-art Aviation and Rescue Fire Fighting service and air traffic control tower will bring together the major safety infrastructure at Broome Airport,” Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said at a ceremony in Broome on June 8.

The new facility will feature a four storey tower which will be fitted out with the latest technology and be built to withstand cyclones. Seven air traffic controllers and 20 aviation fire fighters will be based at Broome and will work across three shifts, providing ARFF and ATC coverage for all flights operating in and out of the airport.

Airservices currently operates its ARFF service from a hangar at the airport as a temporary measure. It will also erect a temporary control tower at Broome to provide air traffic control before the facility opens in mid 2011.