Ballarat Airport

The first Ballarat Aerodrome was established on the Ballarat West Town Common during the 1930s for light aircraft training purposes. It was closed prior to World War II. At the same time the Department of Air established the RAAF No.1 Wireless Air Gunners School at the present Aerodrome site. The peak strength of the school was reached in May 1942 when there were 41 officers and 1,918 airmen in residence.

When the RAAF vacated the site in 1961, the Department of Air offered the Aerodrome to the then Shire of Ballarat under the terms of the Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan. The Aerodrome became a licensed aerodrome under this plan when licence number 43 was issued to Council on 11 September 1962.

Under this plan, Ballarat City Council own and control the Aerodromes land and facilities such as pavements and buildings, but the Department of Air (now Civil Aviation Safety Authority) retained those functions associated with operational safety aspects.

The Ballarat Aerodrome is situated 7km north west of the city centre. It is at Latitude 37 30 44 and Longitude 143 47 30. It is at Altitude 1429.4ft (435.8m).

Movement Area

The Aerodrome three active runways:

1. 18-36 Runway
   Prior to hand-over to Council, the runway was 1,860m long and 45m wide and sealed. It was crossed at the southern end by the main access road and reduced to 1,305m. To reduce maintenance cost it was further reduced to 1,245m long by 30m wide. Reconstruction of 500 linear metres on the southern end was carried out in 1981. The runway was equipped with permanent night landing lights in 1976.
   
2. 05-23 Runway
   Originally the 05-23 was a 1,385m long by 45m sealed gravel runway. Today it is a 1,265m long by 30m wide sealed gravel runway. The runway strip is 1,385m long by 90m wide.
   
   The 18-36 and 05-23 runways both have pavements which consist of a 200mm thick layer of gravel on a clay subgrade. The pavement strength ratings of PCN 6 indicate that they are suitable only for light aircraft (not above 5,700kg all up mass) operations. Fokker F27 (about 20,000kg all up mass) have landed occasionally, but on a reduced weight basis. The runways have been surfaced at regular intervals by Council, generally using 7mm aggregate seals.
   
3. 13-31 Runway
   This runway is a 560m long by 30m wide grass runway. The runway strip is 688m long by 9m wide.
   
   The grass runway is periodically resurfaced using quarry dust to help overcome water logging which occurs during periods of wet weather.

Taxiway and Apron
Two sealed taxiways connect the hangar areas to each runway. The eastern taxiway was reconstructed in 1983 and has night lighting installed.

The sealed apron includes a 90m x 220m aircraft parking area.

Refuelling Facilities
The Aerodrome has two refuelling facilities available for use by aircraft.

Airport Occupants

Businesses and groups in the following table have a direct affiliation with the Aerodrome, indirectly the entire Ballarat community benefits by the existence of the facility.

Aviation Based Activities Non Aviation Wheel Based Activities Non Aviation General Activities Aerovision Region 15 Fire Brigade Ballarat Amateur Radio Group Field Air Ballarat Drag Racing Club Ballarat & District Model Railway Club Ballarat Aero Club Ballarat Rovers Motor Cycle Club Woodworkers Guild Ballarat Aviation Museum Ballarat Motorcycle Touring Club Central Highlands Dart League BP Australia Ballarat Morris Minor Club Ballarat Polo Cross Club Australia Jet Adventures Stay Upright South West Helicopters Ballarat Light Car Club Friends at the Anson Road Traffic Authority Country Helicopters Super Southern Swap Meet Fire Bird Gyro Planes Ballarat Model Auto Racing Club Ballarat Aviation Services Driving Ambitions Aerovision Fuellers Outback Pub Tours More information For more information contact John Hartigan, Airport Manager, 03 5320 5881 or mobile 0418 137 784, or Roland Wade, Airport Reporting Officer, mobile 0409 869 368. Related Content Aerodrome Master Plan 2004 - 2014 Links Download Files Map - Ballarat and airport Map - Ballarat Airport