Eastern Airfield Upgrade
BAC has initiated near-term rehabilitation, including runway resurfacing, threshold concrete replacement, and planning for Taxiways A and B.
Sector
Aviation
Location
Brisbane, QLD
Project Overview
The legacy portion of the airfield is now over 30 – 40 years old and is in a varied condition. Many of the pavements are at the end of their designated design life and require frequent rehabilitation or replacement. BAC has implemented near-term plans for rehabilitation, including runway resurfacing, threshold concrete replacement and development of rehabilitation plans for Taxiway A and B.
Client’s Requirements
For the Eastern Airfield Upgrade project, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) required a commercially robust and technically informed cost assessment to support long-term business case planning for the renewal and upgrade of critical airfield infrastructure. The legacy portions of the eastern airfield, now over 30–40 years old, are in varied condition, with many pavements at or beyond their designated design life. BAC required a comprehensive first-principles estimate to assess rehabilitation and replacement strategies for key assets, including runway resurfacing, threshold concrete replacement, and the planned rehabilitation of Taxiways A and B. The estimate needed to reflect realistic construction methodologies, staging constraints, and the operational complexity of delivering works within a live international airport environment. A key requirement was the evaluation of two distinct construction access scenarios:
• Construction Access Scenario 1, which maximised traditional pavement construction methodologies through long-term closures facilitated by new taxiway construction or operational controls; and
• Construction Access Scenario 2, which prioritised short- duration closures to minimise operational disruption,resulting in reduced construction extents but increased staging complexity.
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) required transparent, first-principles cost modelling across both scenarios to enable clear comparison of capital cost, program impacts, operational risk exposure, and long-term asset performance outcomes.
Additionally, the client required the cost assessment to account for ongoing settlement issues, geometric non-compliances, pavement deterioration, and the reduced flood immunity of critical airfield assets due to climate change and increased rainfall intensity. These factors introduced business continuity risks that needed to be reflected in scope definition, risk allowances, and contingency planning.
Overall, Brisbane Airport Corporation required a defensible, governance-ready cost position that balanced asset renewal needs, operational continuity, climate resilience, and long-term infrastructure performance—providing the financial clarity necessary to support strategic investment decisions.
Our Contribution
Anhur Dynamics Consulting provided comprehensive estimating and commercial advisory services to Brisbane Airport Corporation to support business case development and investment planning.Our role included undertaking a detailed review of all available design documentation to validate scope definition, construction methodology, productivity calculations, staging assumptions, and operational constraints within the live airport environment. We completed comprehensive measurements and quantity take-offs across pavement works, threshold replacements, taxiway rehabilitation, drainage, and associated airfield infrastructure to ensure a robust
and defensible cost foundation.
A first-principles estimating approach was applied,incorporating productivity-based rate build-ups for labour, plant, and materials, along with a clear separation of direct and indirect costs. To strengthen cost accuracy and reflect current market conditions, we engaged directly with industry suppliers and subcontractors to test key rates, validate supply chain assumptions, and benchmark critical inputs.
In addition, we prepared a detailed Basis of Estimate (BoE) report documenting all assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, construction access scenarios, risk considerations, and pricing methodologies. This ensured full transparency and auditability of the estimate, enabling Brisbane Airport Corporation to confidently compare construction access strategies,understand cost drivers, and progress its eastern airfield renewal strategy with a governance-ready and investment-grade cost position.
Competitive Advantage
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Undertaking a comprehensive technical review of all design documentation to validate scope completeness, staging logic, and constructability within a live airfield environment
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Completing detailed measurements and quantity take-offs to ensure accuracy and eliminate reliance on high-level allowances
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Developing transparent first-principles rate build- ups based on productivity-driven methodologies tailored to airside construction constraints
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Engaging directly with the market to test key rates, validate supply chain assumptions, and ensure pricing reflected current contractor and supplier conditions
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Preparing a detailed Basis of Estimate (BoE) report documenting assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, risk considerations, and scenario-specific cost drivers
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Structuring the estimate to enable clear comparison of construction access scenarios, supporting informed strategic decision-making
Anhur Dynamics Consulting brought specialist rail infrastructure expertise through the capabilities of our Brisbane office, delivering industry-leading cost management, estimating, and risk advisory services underpinned by proven methodologies and disciplined commercial systems. Through rigorous first-principles modelling, probabilistic risk analysis, and governance-ready reporting, we enhanced cost certainty, strengthened investment confidence, and aligned the project’s financial position with Aurizon’s delivery and capital approval objectives.Anhur Dynamics Consulting brought disciplined quantity surveying expertise and infrastructure renewal experience through our Brisbane-based team, delivering industry-leading cost management services underpinned by robust methodologies and transparent reporting. Through detailed validation, market-informed pricing, and governance-ready documentation, we enhanced cost certainty, strengthened investment confidence, and positioned Brisbane Airport Corporation with a defensible and strategically aligned financial basis to progress its eastern airfield renewal program.