Redevelopment of Townsville Airport
Explore the transformation of Townsville Airport in Queensland. NAIF's $50 million investment fuels redevelopment for improved access and regional growth.
January 2019
Transport & Logistics
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville Airport, a member of the Queensland Airports Limited group (QAL), is set to undergo a timely redevelopment thanks to a loan from NAIF. The modernisation project will increase the airport’s accessibility and efficiency, ultimately bolstering regional economic growth and job creation in North Queensland.
About Queensland Airports Limited Group
Townsville Airport is a major economic enabler for North Queensland, supporting more than 3,000 jobs, contributing $420 million to the economy, and supporting many sectors of the local economy including resources, tourism, agriculture and education.
Project Overview
The Townsville Airport terminal redevelopment will underpin regional growth by addressing current capacity issues during peak times and provide for the airport’s expected growth in passenger numbers.
Planned upgrades include:
- Terminal refurbishment, including increased lounge capacity.
- A new terminal roof.
- New core infrastructure (including water, fire and waste facilities).
- Additional works.
How We Helped
QAL worked with NAIF to enable the acceleration of the latter stages of the redevelopment of Townsville Airport. NAIF’s loan helped bring forward the redevelopment of the terminal and remaining project works.
Public Impact
Ensuring Townsville Airport’s sustainability is critical for the local economy and growth of both Townsville and North Queensland.
Independent analysis forecasts infrastructure funded by the NAIF loan will generate approximately $82 million in economic benefits for the region over the next 30 years through additional regional visitor spend, traveller time savings and other benefits.
The project is expected to create 207 additional full-time equivalent jobs during construction and 50 full-time equivalent operational jobs after the project is finished.
The loan from NAIF paves the way for us to move ahead with this important project, which will address capacity issues for Australia’s 11th busiest airport. The redevelopment has been in the pipeline for several years and the NAIF loan looks set to unlock this opportunity for Townsville and North Queensland.
Chris Mills
QAL CEO
Related Links
Indigenous Engagement
- The Wulgurukaba people
Townsville, located in North Queensland, lies on the traditional lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal peoples. The Townsville Airport is situated on Wulgurukaba Country, known as Gurrumbilbarra. The Wulgurukaba people, whose name means "canoe people," have deep-rooted cultural ties to both the mainland coast and Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), with strong connections to the saltwater country and the surrounding marine ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef. Their creation story features Gabul, the ancestral carpet snake, who is believed to have shaped significant parts of the region’s coastal landscape, including Magnetic Island and the Hinchinbrook Channel. Today, Townsville remains an important meeting place for many First Nations communities across North Queensland, providing essential services such as health care, education, and employment opportunities.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- Committed to 3% target for both First Nations employment and procurement during the construction phase of the project.
- Establish an Indigenous Working Group for the Townsville Airport, to help facilitate First Nations engagement and build relationships with the region's Traditional Owner groups.
- Committed to launching a First Nations employment program and to initiate a First Nations scholarship program to support educational pursuits to the local First Nations community.
- Committed to collaborate with Traditional Owners, including the development of a Welcome to Country display within the airport terminal and showcasing their commitment to First Nations culture and heritage
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- In early 2020, during pre-construction, Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) commenced procuring a number of local Townsville First Nations businesses for various services, however the project was stalled due to COVID-19. Despite the suspension of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES), QAL continued to engage First Nations businesses for essential services during the reduced activity period.
- In late 2021, reporting on the IES resumed, and in early 2022, QAL reported on 26% First Nations employment for water, sewage, signage and supply of amenities.
- In 2023, QAL reached 31.5% First Nations employment of the total workforce, and QAL continued engaging Indigenous-owned Queensland Signage Solutions for signage installation. Additionally, QAL announced recipients of the Townsville Airport Indigenous Scholarship valued at $64,000 in partnership with James Cook University, supporting studies across engineering, business, environmental science and information technology.
- In 2024, the project transitioned into operations and QAL reported 12% First Nations employment during the final construction phase and First Nations procurement spend amounted to 3.8%. QAL also progressed the installation of the Welcome to Country signage and flagpoles and began developing a corporate Reconciliation Action Plan.
- As of 30 June 2025, QAL fully repaid its loan, as such there are no further reporting obligations to NAIF under their Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES). The Townsville Airport Project will continue to generate jobs and long-term economic benefits for the region.
