Rockhampton Airport
QantasLink and Virgin Australia services at Rockhampton Airport, 2022
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorRockhampton Regional Council
ServesRockhampton, Queensland
Elevation AMSL36 ft / 11 m
Coordinates23°22′54″S 150°28′30″E / 23.38167°S 150.47500°E / -23.38167; 150.47500
WebsiteRockhampton Airport
Map
YBRK is located in Queensland
YBRK
YBRK
Location in Queensland
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 1,200 3,937 Asphalt
15/33 2,628 8,622 Asphalt
Statistics (2016/2017)
Passenger MovementsDecrease 565,716
Aircraft MovementsDecrease 10,002
Sources: AIP[1]
Passenger and aircraftmovements from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport[2]

Rockhampton Airport (Connor Park) (IATA: ROK, ICAO: YBRK) is a major Australian regional airport in West Rockhampton, Queensland that services the city of Rockhampton, with direct flights to various major centres in Queensland, as well as Melbourne in Victoria. Flights have previously operated to Sydney but were cancelled due to lack of passenger numbers. The airport runway has the capability to handle aircraft such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747 and Boeing 777.

In 2011, the airport handled 701,062 passengers and 12,606 aircraft movements, a drop from the 2010 figure of 777,212 passengers and 14,602 aircraft.[2] The drop is attributed in part to the airport being closed for three weeks in January due to the 2010–2011 Queensland floods.[3]

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has one of its nine Queensland bases at Rockhampton Airport.[4]


History

Connor Park sign at Rockhampton Airport, 2022

Efforts to locate a permanent aerodrome site in the city had been proceeding for a number of years in the 1920s. The Rockhampton City Council and the Federal Government, however, could not come to an arrangement as to a suitable site. Prior to 1930, a number of locations within the city had been used for the operation of aircraft, all on a non-official basis and none suitable for long term use.

In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft. The Rockhampton Aero Club was formed on 9 February 1930,[5] and announced that flying training would commence at the location. The Rockhampton Aero Club continues to operate today, providing flying training and air charter.[6]

Main entrance to the Rockhampton Airport precinct, 2022

The Rockhampton Aero Club flying field was officially opened on 2 March 1930 by Rockhampton mayor Robert Cousins.[7] The club was formed just three weeks prior with the aim of providing assistance with issues relating to aviation, including lobbying for a permanent landing ground for aircraft flying into the city.[7] A few weeks later, on 15 March 1930 the Rockhampton Aerodrome was officially opened by Alderman Colonel David Day Dawson on behalf of Cousins who was unable to attend.[8] It was only after the Rockhampton Aero Club had been established their flying field at Connor Park that Rockhampton City Council finally decided the same location would ideal for the city's aerodrome and contributed 100 pounds for land clearing.[8] This came after many months of attempting to find a suitable location of an aerodrome with many locations considered including near the Red Hill quarry on Yaamba Road.[8] The first passenger aircraft, a Fokker monoplane, Star of Cairns, landed at the Rockhampton Aerodrome during the official opening.[8]

Bureau of Meteorology meteorological office at Rockhampton Airport, 2013

In late 1938, it was announced that a meteorological office would be established at the Connor Park Aerodrome to cater for the requirements of the planes flying in and out of Rockhampton as well as providing expert weather observations for general purposes.[9] The presence of a meteorological office at Rockhampton Airport continued up until 2021 when it was announced it would soon be closed - a decision that has prompted much discussion.[10][11]

During World War II, facilities at the airport were substantially upgraded.[12] The size of the facility was doubled by the resumption and purchase of additional land.[12] A new runway was constructed at a length of 1,250 yards and bitumen was laid in an attempt to reduce the dust which was being stirred up by propellers causing inconvenience to passengers and risking interference with the instruments at the meteorological office.[12] The Commonwealth took over control of the airport, and the Royal Australian Air Force moved in. An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992. Control Tower facilities were also established. At one stage, work was commenced to allow rapid demolition of the runways if required.[13]

Eleanor Roosevelt arriving at Connor Park Aerodrome, 1943
Great Britain Lions players at Connor Park, 1954

The opening of the Connor Park Aerodrome provided much easier access to Rockhampton not only for the general public but for many visiting dignitaries, prompting a steady stream of royalty, political leaders, sporting personalities, high-ranking military figures and well known aviators to visit the city. Those greeted at the Connor Park Aerodrome in its early years included Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Eleanor Roosevelt, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Sir William McKell, Richard Casey, Baron Casey, Robert L. Eichelberger, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the Great Britain national rugby league team.[14][15]

[16][17][18][19][20][21] Many other notable arrivals have landed at Rockhampton Airport, since including Johnny Cash in 1981.[22] After visiting the city in 1954, Prince Philip returned to Rockhampton Airport in 1973 when he landed at the controls of a RAF Queen's Flight Andover on 9 October 1973.[23] He was en route to New Zealand after a three-day camping tour near Alice Springs.[23]

An RAAF Sikorsky S-51 becomes the first helicopter to land at Connor Park, 1952

The first helicopter to land at Rockhampton Airport arrived unannounced on 9 July 1952 when a RAAF Sikorsky S-51 flew over the city before landing at the airport to refuel.[24] It had flown from Brisbane via Bundaberg and was on its way north to Mackay and Townsville.[24] The draft from the rotor blades whipped up a large cloud of dust which covered a freshly painted restroom building much to the frustration of the tradesmen who had just finished the job.[24]

Planes competing in the Redex Air Reliability Trial at Connor Park, 1954

The Connor Park Aerodrome played host to 27 planes competing in the 1954 Redex Air Reliability Trial, an air version of the long-distance motorsport rally.[25] The first section of planes competing in the trial arrived at Connor Park on 2 August 1954, with the second section arriving on 7 August 1954.[25][26] The arrival of the planes attracted a considerable amount of sightseers to the airport, although fog delayed the arrival of the second section of competing aircraft.[27]

In 1965, Ansett-ANA and TAA both introduced special tourist air fares to Rockhampton Airport, a decision which was met with criticism in Canberra after the two company's claimed tourist air fares to Canberra weren't viable despite Rockhampton Airport recording a total of 43,368 passengers in 1963 compared to the 236,255 passengers handled by Canberra Airport in the same period.[28]

Porters at Rockhampton Airport foiled an elaborate plan by five men to steal $600,000 in cash from the Reserve Bank of Australia mid-flight from four separate planes across Queensland in what became known as "The Great Plane Robbery" during 1982.[29][30] Just before 11am on 21 September 1982, the cargo section of a TAA aircraft was opened after it had landed at Rockhampton.[30] Porters noticed a hand appear from behind one of the freight boxes, and the police were contacted.[30] At first the man was thought to be a stowaway, but the freight box the man was found in contained $200,000 in $20 and $5 notes which were destined for local branches of the Commonwealth Bank.[31] The man was Lance James Woolcock who had swapped the cash for phone books.[31] Upon being discovered, Woolcock attempted to escape but after running down the runway, he was captured by a porter and a pilot. Although a small breathing tube had been installed in his box, Woolcock appeared to be suffering from air sickness and oxygen depravation from being in the cargo hold of the aircraft.[30] It was soon discovered, Woolcock was just one member of a team.[31] Further men were found in freight boxes in Mount Isa, Townsville and Brisbane.[30] Robert Davies and John Bower were found in Townsville (one in the box, the other found waiting near a cargo depot), John Stewart Anthony was found in a freight box in Brisbane (after his box destined for Cairns was accidentally left behind) while notorious criminal Robert "Bertie" Kidd[32] was found in Mount Isa.[31] All men were arrested and charged with conspiracy and theft. Kidd was thought to be the organiser and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.[31] The other men received less severe punishments. According to police, all men were "well known identities" with links to the Painters and Dockers Union.[30] Police believed the men had attempted the heist after receiving insider information from either the Reserve Bank, TAA or a security firm.[30]

In 1984, with the construction underway of the new Iwasaki Sangyo international resort on the Capricorn Coast north of Yeppoon, the company pushed the Federal Government to grant "international" status to Rockhampton Airport or to allow international charter flights to land at the airport on a regular basis.[33] The company wasn't successful in their bid to have the airport upgraded to international status.

In 1987 during upgrade work, the demolition tunnels installed in 1940 were located and filled in.

In February 1989, Rockhampton City Council was vested with ownership of the airport.

In 1995, the Royal Flying Doctor Service established a base at Rockhampton Airport.[34] In 2015, the service celebrated the 25th anniversary of the base which coincided with the opening of a new patient transfer facility which was unveiled by CEO of RFDS Queensland, Nino Di Marco.[34] On 26 January 1996, the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service commenced operations with their first hangar officially opened by Merri Rose on 20 February 1999.[35][36]

In March 2010, it was announced Jetstar would be withdrawing services from Rockhampton on 9 May 2010.[37] The company blamed Rockhampton Regional Council for not being able to secure a competitive and long-term pricing arrangement.[37] As a result, QantasLink boosted their capacity with an extra 47 weekly return services between Brisbane and Rockhampton, while Tigerair Australia offered $28 fares on their services between the two cities.[37]

Tigerair Australia established routes Rockhampton soon after the airline's launch. In 2008, a Tigerair flight suffered a bird strike while landing at Rockhampton. Whole the aircraft was not damaged, the airline had no local engineers available to inspect the plane and one would need to travel from Melbourne, prompting an almost 12-hour delay. A furore erupted when the aircraft took-off three hours prior to its amended departure time.[38] Passengers were not advised of the earlier departure and 55 were left behind, despite the attempts of an airport staff member reportedly attempting to physically prevent the plane taking off on the tarmac. [38] The airline said that they were required to depart at that time to prevent a staff member on board from going over her monthly working limit and that they had attempted to contact all passengers. Rockhampton Regional Council mayor Brad Carter criticised the airline for the incident and said the way that they had handled it was "totally unacceptable."[38] Tigerair said that they would refund all affected customers. They also said they would pay for alternate flights where possible and gifted all affected passengers with a $200 voucher.[38] In 2011, Tigerair Australia suspended flights during the 2010-2011 floods which temporarily closed Rockhampton Airport. They resumed services on 29 March 2011 with the company celebrating a milestone of having the 100,000th customer to go through Rockhampton Airport.[39][40] However, several months later, the company said that they would be cutting flights to both Rockhampton and Mackay from 1 August 2011.[41] The airline said that despite the routes being very popular, they would only return once the company had achieved more reliability in its other operations.[41]

A new twin-bay hangar for the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service was officially opened by federal MP Michelle Landry and state MP Barry O'Rourke on 14 March 2018.[42] The executive director of the service Mark Fewtrell said the new facility was much needed as the service had long outgrown their previous hangar.[42] He said the new complex would meet the needs of a growing population and projected industry demands while finally allowing all staff to work under the same roof after some were forced to temporarily work from an office in the CBD.[42]

JETGO Australia flights to and from Rockhampton Airport were suspended on 1 June 2018 when the company went into voluntary administration.[43] Rockhampton Regional Council described the announcement as "incredibly disappointing to Rockhampton."[43] Jetgo's first flight from Rockhampton Airport was made on 28 September 2015 on its newly introduced Townsville to Gold Coast (via Rockhampton) service.[44] In December 2015, the company stated that their expansion to Rockhampton had proved successful with the Townsville to Rockhampton section of the route particularly well patronised.[45]

After experiencing a gradual downward trend from a peak of over 700,000 passengers each year during the mining boom between 2010 and 2012, passenger numbers using Rockhampton Airport increased by 3.6% in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.[46]

In 2022, it was announced Australia's new low-cost carrier Bonza Airlines would soon commence 11 new weekly flights from Rockhampton Airport to destinations such as the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns and Melbourne.[47]

With military exercises regularly held in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, military aircraft are a common sight at Rockhampton Airport. Following a fatal accident at Shoalwater Bay in 1981, the RAAF's fleet of Iroquois helicopters were grounded.[48] The RAAF Chinook helicopters then lifted the Iroquois helicopters from Shoalwater Bay and dropped them at Rockhampton Airport where they were dismantled and loaded into C130 Hercules to be transported to RAAF Base Amberley.[48] In 1995, it was announced that British Aerospace had won a $7 million contract with Singapore which would include building a facility at Rockhampton Airport to manage and maintain the Singapore Armed Forces' military vehicles.

A guard of honour was formed at Rockhampton Airport on 19 September 2017 by the Singapore Armed Force personnel as the coffin containing the body of 21-year-old Third Sergeant Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin was loaded from a hearse onto a Republic of Singapore Air Force Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker '752' to be transported back to Singapore where he was accorded a funeral with full military honours.[49] 3SG Chen had died in a vehicular incident in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area while participating in Exercise Wallaby.[49]

Past and future redevelopments

An overturned Cessna at Connor Park, 1948

Rockhampton Airport is prone to closures when the Fitzroy River reaches major flood levels due to the airport's close proximity to the Pink Lily meander where significant overbank flow occurs during major flooding events. Rockhampton Airport has been closed several times due to floodwaters impacting the runways including in 1954, 1991, 2011 and 2017.[50][51][3][52] This prompted a proposal put forward by federal MP Kirsten Livermore to relocate the airport to Hedlow, between Rockhampton and Yeppoon.[53]

Rockhampton Airport Terminal, 2022

In 2008, Rockhampton Airport completed an A$8.4 million terminal redevelopment. Changes made during the renovation included the removal of the old viewing deck, a new security screening point and departure lounge, a new café/restaurant, the relocation of the airport offices, check-in counters, and baggage carousel and a customs screening point for international flights. During 2008, changes that occurred at the airport included the installation of new air-conditioners and lighting.[54]

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the terminal underwent another substantial upgrade.[55] Stage one of the $41 million refurbishment commenced in April 2020.[56] New body scanners and body screening equipment was installed and the airport was reconfigured to allow better passenger movement through the terminal.[57] Private airline lounges, a FIFO hub, additional retail and hospitality businesses were introduced and existing amenities were updated.[57] With flights cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work progresses faster than anticipated.[57]

In September 2021, Alliance Airlines announced it would be relocating its repair, maintenance and overhaul work to Rockhampton with a new $60 million facility to be constructed at Rockhampton Airport.[58]

In February 2022, Bonza announced that the airport would become one of its 17 destinations with the airline planning to fly to the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville from Rockhamption [59]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Bonza[60] Cairns, Gold Coast,[61] Melbourne,[62] Sunshine Coast, Townsville
QantasLink Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Townsville
Skytrans Airlines Cairns, Proserpine[63]
Virgin Australia Brisbane

Accidents and incidents

  • A Cessna C-34 overturned upon landing at Connor Park Aerodrome on 20 February 1948.[64] The pilot and his two passengers managed to escape the aircraft with only minor injuries.[64] The plane which was arriving from Emerald slewed over on its starboard wing, ground looped and overturned shattering the cabin windows, bending the propeller and denting the engine cowling.[64] Fire crews at the airport had just completed a fire drill and quickly responded to the incident.[64]
A damaged Australian National Airways plane after a hard landing at Connor Park, 1948
  • On 13 April 1948, an Australian National Airways Douglas aircraft sustained considerable damage when it was involved in a hard landing and subsequent loss off control.[65] After landing heavily, a strong gust of wind caused the left wing to rise and the right wing hit the ground, breaking off the wheel and propeller on that side.[65] The plane veered to the left, skidding approximately 100 yards. During the crash sequence, the loose propeller tore a large hole in the fuselage below the pilot's cabin.[65]
  • In 1975, a 17-year-old boy with no flying experience faced court for allegedly stealing a Piper Commanche aircraft owned by Overland Airways from Rockhampton Airport on 27 February 1975.[66] He was charged with having unlawfully flown an aircraft without a license and operating an aircraft in a reckless manner.[66] The boy allegedly told police he wanted to "fly home to New Guinea" so took a plane from the airport, learning how to operate it as he went.[66] He allegedly managed to take off and climb to 2000 feet before descending due to poor visibility caused by rain.[66] He allegedly lowered the aircraft to 200 feet to read a road sign due to not being able to use the onboard compasses.[66] He allegedly landed the plane on an airstrip at Alligator Creek south of Mackay, damaging a wing as he did so.[66]
  • A Darwin-based RAAF sergeant who was participating in the Talisman Sabre military exercise suffered third-degree burns to his upper body when the portaloo he was using at Rockhampton Airport exploded on 25 July 2011.[67] It was believed a lit cigarette triggered the explosion.[68] He was flown to Brisbane for specialist treatment but died from his injuries on 20 September 2011.[69]

Operations

Busiest domestic routes out of Rockhampton Airport
(In 2013–2014)[70]
RankAirportPassengers carried % changeAirline carriers
1  Queensland, Brisbane Airport no data yet no data yet Virgin Australia, Qantaslink
2  Queensland, Gold Coast Airport no data yet no data yet JETGO Australia
2  Queensland, Cairns Airport no data yet no data yet Qantaslink
2  Queensland, Townsville Airport no data yet no data yet JETGO Australia, Qantaslink
2  Queensland, Mackay Airport no data yet no data yet Qantaslink

Transport

The terminal is also serviced by bus and taxi, with regular connections to Rockhampton City and the Capricorn Coast provided by Young's Bus Service and other local operators.

Awards

Rockhampton Airport was named the 2007 Australian Major Airport of the Year at the prestigious National Awards in recognition of Excellence in Australian Aviation, in Melbourne on 13 November 2007.[71]

Big Bulls

Bull statue at Rockhampton Airport, 2022

On the roundabout outside the airport is one of the seven Big Bulls statues that decorate Rockhampton, which regards itself as the Beef Capital of Australia. The statue outside the airport depicts a Droughtmaster bull, an important breed in the local area.[72][73] The Big Bulls are listed as one of Australia's big things.[74]

The theft of the testicles from the bulls is a common prank and they frequently have to be replaced. Some residents also feel that the bull statues overemphasise one aspect of the city and should be relocated to less prominent locations. However, there is strong public support for the retention of the bulls.[75]

Library

The Rockhampton Regional Council operate a public library at Rockhampton Airport called the "Anytime Library" (which, as at 2018, is open from 5am to 9:30pm every day).[76]

See also

References

  1. ↑ YBRK – Rockhampton (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 2023-11-30
  2. 1 2 Airport traffic data
  3. 1 2 "Rockhampton Airport shuts down". The Morning Bulletin. APN News & Media. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "RFDS QLD Home Page". Royal Flying Doctor Service. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rockhampton Aero Club history". Rockhampton Aero Club. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  6. ↑ "Rockhampton Aero Club". Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 "An historic event - Aero Club opened". The Morning Bulletin. 3 March 1930. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Aerodrome opened". The Morning Bulletin. 17 March 1930. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Meteorological offices in Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. 17 December 1938. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  10. ↑ Pearce, Matthew (26 October 2021). "BoM closure is a risk: weatherman". CQ Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Pearce, Matthew (30 October 2021). "Region will not suffer: BoM". CQ Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 "Extensive improvements being effected at Connor Park Airport". The Morning Bulletin. 2 May 1940. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Dunn, Peter. "Demolition of our harbours and airfields, roads and other important installations". ozatwar.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Eichelberger tells us... highlight of tour to come back here". The Morning Bulletin. 2 May 1952. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  15. ↑ "Duke of Gloucester was city's first royal visitor". The Morning Bulletin. 15 March 1954. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  16. ↑ "Kingsford Smith visit to Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. 7 July 1932. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  17. ↑ "Reception to Mr Menzies at Connor Park". The Morning Bulletin. 5 April 1951. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "English footballers arrive in city". The Morning Bulletin. 29 June 1954. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  19. ↑ "Liberal Party president arrives". The Morning Bulletin. 20 September 1947. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "Rockhampton greets Governor-General". The Morning Bulletin. 7 July 1948. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "Mrs Roosevelt arrives in Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. 10 September 1943. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  22. ↑ Fox, Sean (25 January 2020). "Flashback: The moment music royalty touched down in Rocky". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  23. 1 2 "Royal tour". The Canberra Times. 10 October 1973. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  24. 1 2 3 "Helicopter visits Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. 10 July 1952. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Warning by pilots speeds excessive". The Morning Bulletin. 3 August 1954. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Redex planes at Rockhampton". The Central Queensland Herald. 5 August 1954. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  27. ↑ "Fog delays planes in Redex trial". The Morning Bulletin. 9 August 1954. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "More tourist class air fares". The Canberra Times. 14 April 1965. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Hand points porters to robbery". The Canberra Times. 22 September 1982. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Broadbent, David (20 September 2020). "From the archives, 1982: Gang's audacious $600,000 mid-air heist fails". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 Morton, James; Lobez, Susanna (2012). Gangland Queensland. Melbourne University Press. ISBN 978-0522862164.
  32. ↑ Knowles, Lorna (2 July 2015). "The life and times of notorious criminal 'Bertie' Kidd". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  33. ↑ Longhurst, Frank (19 August 1984). "The No. 1 (uncompleted and unloved) resort in the world". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  34. 1 2 Conaghan, Rachel (19 April 2015). "Flying Doctors mark 20 years in Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  35. ↑ "Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service". Community Directory. Rockhampton Regional Council. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  36. ↑ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service Administration and Hangar Complex (plaque outside original hangar complex). West Rockhampton, Queensland: Queensland Government. 1999. This administration and hangar complex was officially opened by The Hon. Merri Rose MLA Minister for Emergency Services on 20 February 1999.
  37. 1 2 3 Formosa, Amy (5 March 2010). "Jetstar withdraws from Rocky". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  38. 1 2 3 4 Siegmeier, Melinda (28 November 2008). "Get off the tarmac - we're going". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  39. ↑ "Tiger Airways to resume flights to Rockhampton Airport". CQ Plane Spotting. 28 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  40. ↑ Thomson, Alister (30 March 2011). "Tiger marks passenger milestone". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  41. 1 2 "Tiger Airways cuts flights to Rockhampton and Mackay airports". CQ Plane Spotting. 5 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  42. 1 2 3 Powell, Jessica (14 March 2018). "New Rockhampton rescue service hangar off and flying". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  43. 1 2 Jarrett, Vanessa (2 June 2018). "Jetgo goes into administration, Rocky flights suspended". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  44. ↑ Stevens, Trinette (29 September 2015). "Jetgo airline finally hits Rockhampton skies". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  45. ↑ Gately, Michelle (10 December 2015). "New Jetgo service off to a flying start in Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  46. ↑ "Airport numbers reflect increased 2019 visitation". Capricorn Enterprise. 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022. "We saw an increase in passenger numbers of 19,947 (3.6%) from 551,596 in 2018 to 571,543 in 2019, with business travelers making up the majority of visitors by air"
  47. ↑ Pearce, Matthew (19 February 2022). "Bonza news for airport". CQ Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  48. 1 2 Cranston, Frank (3 November 1981). "RAAF left only with Chinooks in use". Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  49. 1 2 Mesner, Kerri-Anne (20 September 2017). "Guard of honour at Rockhampton Airport for soldier". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  50. ↑ "Rockhampton isolated by flood; all communications cut". The Morning Bulletin. 17 February 1954. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  51. ↑ "Fitzroy River reaches 9.1m, still rising". The Canberra TImes. 7 January 1991. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  52. ↑ Gately, Michelle (4 April 2017). "Airport shuts down for 'weeks' as flood tortures Rocky slowly". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  53. ↑ Pearce, Frazer; Mesner, Kerri-Anne (26 May 2012). "Bid to have Rocky airport shifted". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  54. ↑ "Retail Opportunities". City of Rockhampton. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  55. ↑ Jarrett, Vanessa (4 February 2020). "Multi-million airport master plan". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  56. ↑ Jarrett, Vanessa (11 June 2020). "Airline lounges, retail shops in stage 1 of airport upgrades". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  57. 1 2 3 Jarrett, Vanessa (9 September 2020). "New security equipment installed at Rockhampton Airport". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  58. ↑ Evans, Duncan (2 September 2021). "Alliance chooses Rocky". CQ Today. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  59. ↑ "Bonza Announces New Destinations". Bay939Radio. Bay939. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  60. ↑ "Bonza Outlines Operational Network in 1H23". Aeroroutes. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  61. ↑ "Bonza Launches Gold Coast Base in Nov 2023". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  62. ↑ "Bonza April/May 2023 Melbourne Network Additions". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  63. ↑ "Skytrans major expansion in QLD". Skytrans. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  64. 1 2 3 4 "Plane overturns at aerodrome". The Morning Bulletin. 21 February 1948. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  65. 1 2 3 "Airliner crash-lands at Connor Park drome". The Morning Bulletin. 14 April 1948. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Youth alleged to have used aircraft". The Canberra Times. 19 March 1975. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  67. ↑ Stafford, Elizabeth (25 July 2011). "Air force man seriously injured in Rockhampton portaloo explosion". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  68. ↑ Wratten, Adam; Haydock, Amy (26 July 2011). "Light-up blamed in loo explosion". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  69. ↑ Watts, Nikita (20 September 2011). "Sergeant in portaloo blast dies". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  70. ↑ Domestic airline activity Archived 21 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  71. ↑ "Our airport is best in Australia and now its official!". City of Rockhampton. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  72. ↑ "Where's the Beef?". Rockhampton Art Gallery. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  73. ↑ Robinson, Paul; Farrow-Smith, Elloise; Saunders, Miranda (17 April 2014). "An ownership row has erupted over who holds Australia's Beef Capital title". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  74. ↑ Clark, David (2004). Big Things: Australia's Amazing Roadside Attractions. Penguin Books. pp. 10–13. ISBN 0-14-300200-7.
  75. ↑ Whop, Marlina (20 November 2013). "Tourism group rears up over Rockhampton bull statues". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  76. ↑ "Rockhampton Regional Library, Public Libraries Connect". Public Libraries Connect. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  • Roger R Marks (1994). Queensland Airfields WW2 – 50 Years On. R & J Marks. ISBN 0-646-12769-1.
  • Lorna McDonald (1995). Rockhampton, A History of City and District. Rockhampton City Council. ISBN 0-9599897-3-0.
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