Published on Friday, 23 October 2026 at 4:33:32 PM
Following a recent visit to Canberra, Mayor Glenn Wilson is continuing to push for greater State and Federal Government investment in Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, working alongside other regional local governments and the resources industry to address the infrastructure challenges facing growing regional centres.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport recorded 562,710 passenger movements in 2025–26, its busiest year on record and a 22.54% increase on the previous financial year. Just over 15,000 aircraft landings and take-offs were also recorded.
The City is investing in the airport and planning for its future, but delivering the major upgrades needed to keep pace with this growth will require a funding partnership with State and Federal Governments and industry.
Mayor Glenn Wilson said regional airports were essential infrastructure, but the cost of major upgrades could be difficult for local governments to meet on their own.
“Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport is a major piece of infrastructure for our region. It connects our community, supports the resources sector and plays an important role in the Goldfields’ future,” Mayor Wilson said.
“We’ve seen significant and consistent growth over the past few years, and as the Goldfields continues to grow, we expect even more pressure on the airport and its facilities.
“The City is doing what it can to improve the airport, but the scale of the redevelopment needed is beyond what we can deliver alone. We need State and Federal Governments and the resources industry to come to the table and help fund the next stage of the airport’s development.”
A shared challenge for regional centres
The City is working with Regional Capitals Australia (RCA), Regional Capitals Alliance Western Australia (RCAWA), and the Australian Mining Cities Alliance (AMCA), which Mayor Wilson chairs, to advocate for investment in critical regional infrastructure.
Through these networks, the City is working with other regional local governments that face similar challenges in providing infrastructure to support growing populations, major industries and regional economies.
Mayor Wilson said regional communities played a significant role in Australia’s economy and needed infrastructure investment to reflect that contribution.
“Regional centres like Kalgoorlie-Boulder support major industries and contribute a great deal to the State and national economies. But we also have to make sure our own communities have the infrastructure and services they need,” he said.
“Airports are a good example. They’re important to the people who live here, the businesses that operate here and the industries that rely on a regional workforce. Making sure they can meet future demand is a shared responsibility.”
Planning for a growing airport
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport supports regular passenger services and charter flights associated with the resources sector. Nine airlines operate services from the airport, with charter flights accounting for more than 20% of passenger movements.
The City’s Airport Master Plan identifies the infrastructure needed to support future growth, with the broader redevelopment estimated to cost between $75 million and $100 million over 10 years.
The plan outlines improvements across three stages, including upgrades to the terminal and passenger facilities, parking and supporting infrastructure, and airfield improvements to accommodate larger aircraft safely and efficiently.
Through the Federal Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (RPPP), the City has secured $2.14 million to develop an investment-ready precinct plan covering the airport, Kalgoorlie and Boulder CBDs, and other key economic and community infrastructure.
The airport planning work will review and update the existing 2018 Airport Master Plan, analyse airport data and undertake technical studies and concept design. This will establish a roadmap for the airport’s development over the next 0–5, 5–15 and 15-plus years, helping identify priorities and build the evidence needed to seek funding partners for major construction and redevelopment.
Mayor Wilson said securing funding for this work was an important step towards preparing for the airport precinct’s future.
“We’ve secured funding to do the planning and identify the priorities. Now we need to work together on how we deliver them,” he said.
Continuing to invest
The City has already delivered improvements to airport access and passenger facilities, including a dedicated bus terminal and resurfacing of the terminal pick-up and drop-off road. Apron rehabilitation and pavement repairs have also progressed, alongside ongoing maintenance of essential airport infrastructure.
The City’s 2026/27 Budget includes $2.5 million for airport apron renewal and $2.9 million towards terminal improvements, including preparatory work for toilet refurbishment and replacement of the checked baggage system, as well as a review and upgrade of the secure passenger area.
The City is also assessing options for the airport’s future, including refurbishing the existing terminal or developing a new facility.
While the airport generates revenue, that revenue contributes to the City’s broader finances, which also fund facilities and services the community relies on. The scale of the proposed redevelopment means additional investment will be needed to deliver the major upgrades required.
Mayor Wilson said the City would continue to invest where it could while advocating for government and industry to help deliver the airport’s longer-term needs.
“We’ll continue to improve the airport where we can, while working with our partners to secure the investment needed for the bigger upgrades ahead,” he said.
“The Kalgoorlie-Boulder community and the wider Goldfields need airport facilities that can keep pace with the region’s growth. We need to work together to deliver the infrastructure the region will need into the future.”
Pictured: Mayor Glenn Wilson in Canberra
Back to All News