Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Unveils $20.68 Million Runway Upgrade, Paving the Way for Future Aviation Excellence

A Little Hero in a Big Adventure

Title: Hexatron Tales –

Respect

Author: Craig Cardenas

Price $36.95

Publisher: Shawline

Publishing

By Samantha Elley

Torbiro knows what it feels like to receive prejudice.

He is a hal ing in a fantasy world that only values the strong, the handsome and the tall.

All attributes that Torbiro sadly lacks. at doesn’t stop him from dreaming big, however, and he will do whatever it takes to achieve that dream.

Along the way, he will encounter many di erent characters and trials.

He is surrounded by two worlds that are clashing, that of

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has undergone a transformative upgrade, marking a signifcant milestone in its journey towards meeting the evolving demands of aviation. The recently unveiled $20.68 million enhancement promises to not only bolster local tourism and businesses but also carve out promising career pathways for residents.

The comprehensive upgrade initiative, offcially opened today, encompasses a spectrum of improvements aimed at fortifying the airport’s infrastructure.

Key highlights include the overlay of the existing runway surface, integration of a state-of-the-art visual approach slope indicator system, and the adoption of energy-effcient LED lighting for enhanced runway edge illumination.

Diligently executed, the upgrade endeavours encompassed a meticulous process spanning the design and construction of science and magic, and Torbiro is stuck in the middle as he weaves his way through many adventures. is is a lighthearted read with great imagination and very funny moments.

Craig Cardenas is a game player and a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast. His enthusiasm for the fantasy game got him into reading and eventually writing in the same genre.

He never graduated from the University of Western Sydney when he went to study engineering, majoring in robotics, but his love for adventure gives him a wild drive and his fear of danger gives him a wild imagination. is is evident in Hexatron Tales.

You can order your copy of Hexatron Tales from www. shawlinepublishing. com.au an 80mm overlay complete with full-width grooving. Furthermore, meticulous attention was devoted to landscaping enhancements and meticulous line marking on both the runway and taxiway. The installation of cutting-edge runway edge lights, alongside a sophisticated pit and duct runway lighting cable system, further underscores the airport’s commitment to safety and effciency. Notably, the incorporation of a precision approach path indicator promises to elevate operational precision to unprecedented levels.

In addition to bolstering the airport’s operational effciency, the upgraded runway stands poised to provide vital support to emergency response aircraft servicing the Northern Rivers Region. This critical aspect was underscored during the region’s response to natural calamities, including foods in early 2022 and bushfres in 2019 and late 2023.

A testament to collaborative efforts, the project received substantial backing from the Australian Government, with a commendable contribution of $5.5 million. The remainder of the funding was generously provided by the Ballina Shire Council, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing regional infrastructure.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government Minister Catherine King lauded the project’s signifcance, emphasizing the Australian Government’s unwavering commitment to fortifying regional connectivity. Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, echoed sentiments of pride, emphasizing the economic stimulus and job creation potential intrinsic to the upgrade.

Refecting on the airport’s pivotal role, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Manager Julie Stewart highlighted its burgeoning signifcance as a key regional gateway. With passenger numbers poised to soar, the enhanced infrastructure promises to not only accommodate increasing traffc but also ensure heightened safety standards.

Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader emphasized the upgrade’s multifaceted benefts, heralding it as a testament to the community’s resilience and economic vitality. She underscored the upgrade’s pivotal role in sustaining reliable air services vital for tourism, commerce, and emergency response efforts, while also heralding a new era of aviation opportunities for residents.

As the region looks towards a future defned by enhanced connectivity and resilience, the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport’s runway upgrade stands as a beacon of progress, poised to catalyse growth and prosperity for years to come.