AUSTRALIA. Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has welcomed a decision announced by the Federal Court today that allows extensive commercial development at major Australian airports.
Justice Cooper rejected an application by Westfield, which had sued BAC and the Federal Minister for Transport, seeking to limit the type of development allowable at Australian airports under the Airports Act.
Westfield and Centro commenced the action against BAC and the Federal Minster in May 2003 seeking to prohibit BAC from developing Number 1 Airport drive because it alleged BAC’s proposals were illegal under the Act. BAC Managing Director and CEO Koen Rooijmans said the decision was good news for other Australian airports who had been following the case closely, and who had tens of millions of dollars in investment at stake.
He commented: “We have been confident from the start that our developments and our planning processes have been absolutely in accordance with the letter and the intent of the Airports Act. Compared to Westfield and Centro, we are a small company, and we are pleased that finally this David and Goliath struggle has come to an end and we can once again focus on our plans to develop Australia’s most modern, efficient, competitive and attractive airport, aiming to create more than 30,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.”
Based on highly-successful international airports such as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Brisbane Airport has – since well before privatisation – consistently articulated a vision for an integrated Airport zone incorporating a range of industry sectors from heavy aircraft maintenance and specialist cargo and export operations, to state-of-the-art aviation training and tourism, leisure and retail facilities.
Rooijmans said: “In the 21st century the true international city is defined by its airport. More than a place to catch planes, the modern airport is a dynamic community that is a primary engine room for its region. Today’s decision paves the way for BAC to pursue its goal of making Brisbane the nation’s export gateway to Asia and home to Australia’s premier aviation service, training and education hub.”
He said the first approved project on the signature Number 1 Airport Drive precinct, a Direct Factory Outlet, was expected to be open this September. This will comprise more than 130 brand outlets under the one roof. Subject to planning and approvals under the Airports Act, future plans for Number 1 Airport Drive may include a homemaker centre, golf course, convenience retail stores, child-care, health and fitness facilities, restaurants, cafes and hotels, corporate offices and car parking.
BAC recently reaffirmed its position as Australia’s fastest-growing airport with +23% growth for the half year to date. International passengers through Brisbane Airport grew by +18.8% (+24.6% year to date) over the previous December quarter. This year more than 15 million passengers passed through the airport. By 2023 BAC is expected to cater for more than 36 million passengers a year, which is bigger than Sydney Airport today.
The Nuance Group is the duty free retailer at the airport.
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