The two maps illustrate the transformation of Tilden Airport and its vicinity over a thirty-year period between 1985 and 2015.
Overall, the area underwent significant modernization and expansion. The most notable changes include the addition of a second runway, the conversion of rural and industrial land into commercial and residential zones, and the introduction of a more sophisticated public transport network.
Regarding the airport infrastructure, in 1985, Tilden Airport consisted of a single runway and two terminals (International and Domestic). By 2015, the facility had been renamed Tilden International Airport and featured a new “Runway Two” extending to the northeast. Furthermore, the original car park was integrated into a larger transport hub that included a bus and light rail station, with a new light rail line connecting the airport directly to the City of Tilden.
In the surrounding area, the landscape changed from primarily industrial and agricultural to urbanized. To the north, Johnson’s Farm was replaced by a Business Park and a Housing Estate. To the south, while the Airport Support Services remained, the former factories were demolished to make way for a Hotel and Conference Centre. Although the city remains 8 kilometers away, the accessibility has improved significantly through the new rail links.