Reconstruct and extend the Esperance Airport airstrip and associated infrastructure to meet current and future usage.

Two independent assessments of the airstrip have deemed that the Shire of Esperance must reconstruct the main runway subgrade and pavement. As part of this work, the Esperance Shire Council seeks to lengthen the airstrip to accommodate larger planes, open up the route to other destinations, and allow larger emergency services planes to access the airport.

The proposal includes upgrading the gravel cross strip to ensure that regulated air passenger services, Royal Flying Doctor Services (RFDS), emergency services, and other chartered flights can continue while the main strip is upgraded.

The Esperance Airport is located in a remote location and has over 55,000 RPT passengers and 250 RFDS flights per annum.

Commercial flights and emergency services planes, including DFES water bombers, utilise the Esperance Airport making the airstrip a critical piece of infrastructure for the Esperance region and the State of Western Australia.

The Shire, in partnership with Tourism WA, the Department of Transport, and Australia's Golden Outback, plans to capitalise on increasing tourism numbers and promote Esperance as a key destination. The runway will need to accommodate more passengers and visitors to Esperance, and if the airstrip is upgraded, new flight routes across WA and Australia will be possible.

Project Timeline

May 2024

  • Runway Upgrade Design tender awarded to Airport Consulting Group

June – September 2024

  • Business Case Development

September 2024 

  • Design and costings completed
  • Funding applications submitted to State and Feral governments

Project Budget

Estimated total cost: $25 million. The Shire has committed $6 million towards the runway upgrade.

The Shire of Esperance seeks $19 million from the State and Federal Governments to upgrade this vital regional infrastructure.

Community Direction

2023 Community Scorecard Advocate for funding to upgrade the airport

  • More / longer runways to accommodate growth (larger airlines and larger aircraft)

Council Plan 10.4 Improve public and shared transport services

                             (2) - Design, fund and construct new Airport runway.