Main runway upgrade the missing piece for Ballarat’s airport to take off

City of Ballarat Councillors have joined aviation stakeholders, including Field Air and Interair, to call for urgent investment in the ageing runway at the Ballarat Airport.

The $14.35 million stage two upgrade, identified as a Tier 1 project in the City of Ballarat’s Priority Projects Pipeline, would rebuild the original 1,250-metre section of runway constructed during World War Two and bring it up to modern standards.

There is strong and growing momentum at the aviation precinct. New tenant Interair has relocated its maintenance works from Essendon Airport, while local operator Field Air continues to grow its operations.  

In 2024, Council adopted the Ballarat Airport Strategy and Master Plan, setting a clear pathway for the airport’s future development. Strong public and private investment over the past two years shows this vision is already taking shape but more is needed.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said completing the runway upgrade is the critical next step to unlocking the full potential of the aviation precinct.

“We are seeing real momentum at the Ballarat Airport, with new investment, growing operations and strong industry confidence,” she said.

“This missing piece is upgrading the runway to meet modern standards.

“This is not only about aviation - it’s also about protecting essential health services, strengthening emergency response, and unlocking economic growth for our region.”

Field Air has operated from Ballarat Airport for more than 60 years, providing essential services across agriculture, aerial firefighting, aircraft maintenance and pilot training.  

Field Air General Manager Stephen Holding said while the company can operate smaller aircraft effectively at the airport, larger firefighting aircraft can only land and take-off under strict conditions and are limited to maintenance work.

“An upgraded runway will remove these limitations and enable us to operate larger aircraft more regularly,” he said.

“It will mean more consistency of work for our engineering staff on a year-round basis and enable maintenance, currently done elsewhere, to be completed here in Ballarat.

“The investment would strengthen local jobs, attract further aviation activity, and deliver broader economic benefits for Ballarat.

“Eventually, should passenger services become available, it will enhance tourism in the region and provide a viable option for residents in the region to travel interstate.”

After almost five decades operating out of Essendon Airport, long-established aviation company Interair is relocating to Ballarat Airport to unlock new opportunities for growth and expansion.

Interair Engineering Manager Tom Skinner is moving with his family to live in Ballarat, signalling confidence in Ballarat’s future as an aviation centre.

“This move is about positioning Interair for the future,” he said.

“Here, we can operate in a less congested environment, which improves safety and efficiency for both maintenance and flight operations.  

“We have room to grow our facilities, expand our workforce, and invest in new capabilities without being boxed in by the constraints of a metropolitan airport.

“The real opportunity here is what Ballarat Airport could become,” he said.

“If the runway was upgraded, it would allow us to service our larger clients such as Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream G650 jets, opening the door to new business opportunities.”

Currently, the runway’s limited strength restricts operations to light aircraft, placing vital services at risk. Without upgrades, critical medical transfers, including neonatal and paediatric air ambulance services, may face delays or be forced onto slower road transport.

An upgraded runway would enable a broader range of aircraft, strengthen emergency response capability, and support the potential for a Large Aerial Tanker base in Ballarat, reducing response times to bushfires across Western Victoria.

The upgrade would also create opportunities for future commercial growth and passenger services.  

Ballarat, now Australia’s 18th largest city, remains one of the few major centres without a regular airline service. Each day, up to 1,600 passengers travel from the region to Melbourne Airport, highlighting the significant demand for air travel from Ballarat and surrounding communities.  

Investment in the stage two runway upgrade will build on other significant works completed and in progress at Ballarat Airport. Stage one of the runway upgrade was completed in early 2025, extending the runway from 1,250 metres to 1,800 metres. This was jointly funded by $3.8 million from the Federal Government’s Regional Airports Program and $5 million from the City of Ballarat.  

A tender is now being prepared for the terminal redevelopment, with the Federal Government contributing $1.1 million to repurpose the existing terminal into an aeromedical patient transfer and emergency services facility.  

The City of Ballarat is advocating on behalf of our community for projects outlined in our Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline (APPP) and is looking for all levels of government to invest in the Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat.