Aerodrome apron works underway

Published on 11 January 2023

Horsham Rural City Council has started works on part of the apron at Horsham Aerodrome.

An area of around 2500 m2 of the apron, in front of the Terminal building, the Aeromedical Transfer Station and the refuelling facility is being upgraded due to the poor strength of the bitumen surface in this area.

Aerodrome Manager John Martin said the apron was occasionally damaged by normal aircraft movements, including planes and helicopters

“Sections of the apron surface have low strength, in part due to drainage problems in the area, leading to failure of the surface when some of the heavier aircraft operate on the apron area,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin said the reconstruction works were planned to take about nine weeks.

“During this period access to the terminal building and fuelling facilities will be limited,” he said.

“Regular users of the aerodrome have been consulted about these works, in particular in relation to refuelling and operation of the aeromedical transfer station.”

Mr Martin said that Ambulance Victoria would continue to be able to use its patient transfer facility at the aerodrome in a modified access arrangement.

“Importantly, access to the runways will continue as normal for takeoffs and landings,” he said.

Details of the potential impacts on aircraft operations are contained in the Method of Working Plan(PDF, 1MB).

The upgrade has been funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Airports Program.