“From February 14, Eurobodalla Shire Council staff and sub-contractors will work seven days a week to ensure necessary improvements to the main runway and tie-in to the shorter east-west runway are finished as quickly as possible,” a council spokesperson said.

Airport businesses have been notified and all Rex Airlines flights have been cancelled between February 14 and March 6, inclusive.

The work has been scheduled to allow the 2019 Australian National Skydiving Championships, hosted by Skydive Oz, to take place from March 11 to March 18. The short runway used by Skydive Oz reopens on Monday, March 4, a week before the event begins.

Helicopters may still use the airport by prior arrangement.

“This is a major undertaking requiring almost 20,000 tonnes of high quality gravel to be imported,” the spokesperson said.

“The work is being done in the summer months to take advantage of the longer daylight hours and better drying conditions.

“The runway upgrade is a part of a $9.6 million redevelopment of the airport precinct funded by Council and the NSW and federal governments to drive economic development and employment across the Eurobodalla.”