Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport Internal Upgrades Project Overview

Project Summary

The Gold Coast Airport Internal Upgrades project, undertaken in collaboration with SHAPE Australia, involves a $17 million refurbishment of the domestic departure lounge at Gold Coast Airport, located in Bilinga, Queensland, Australia. This project transformed the former international screening and departures area into an expanded domestic space following the shift of international services to the southern terminal, completed as part of a $260 million terminal expansion in November 2022. The upgrades focus on enhancing passenger experience with new food, beverage, and retail tenancies, as well as improved amenities and accessibility features.

Key Project Details

• Investment and Scale: The project, valued at $17 million, includes new flooring, improved wayfinding, 70 additional flight information display boards, over 300 additional seats, and 19 new retail, food, and beverage outlets, with six more planned to open by late 2024. Notable additions include the Beach Shack Bar & Grill, which opened in June 2024 with celebratory “Sunset Sessions.”

• Purpose and Operations: The upgrades aim to modernize the domestic departure lounge, aligning it with the aesthetic and functionality of the Southern Terminal Expansion. The project enhances passenger comfort and convenience with new dining and retail options, accessibility improvements like a Changing Places facility, and better navigation, catering to over 6.2 million passengers annually, with projections of 13 million by 2044.

• Timeline: The refurbished domestic departure lounge opened in June 2024, timed for the Queensland winter school holidays expecting over 300,000 passengers. Additional works, including northern terminal flooring and more display screens, continued in phases, with all upgrades expected to be completed by the end of October 2024.

• Economic Impact: The project supports local employment through construction and retail operations, contributing to the airport’s role as an economic hub for southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. It enhances the airport’s appeal as a gateway to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay hinterland.

• Builder: SHAPE Australia, a leading construction and fit-out specialist, oversaw the internal upgrades, delivering high-quality refurbishments in a live terminal environment while minimizing passenger disruption.

Borderline Plumbing's Contribution

Borderline Plumbing completed the hydraulic and civil works for the Gold Coast Airport Internal Upgrades, including water, sewer, stormwater systems, and connections to council infrastructure to support the new food, beverage, and retail tenancies. The contract value for Borderline Plumbing’s work on this project was 1 million AUD, ensuring robust utility systems to support the enhanced facilities and operational requirements.