Saltair at Sunshine Coast Airport

The airport’s rental car facility needed to be:

• Functional and efficient for staff and customers
• Durable and low-maintenance in a high-traffic environment
• Fast to deliver, with minimal disruption to airport operations

Saltair worked closely with the project stakeholders to create a modular solution that met these requirements, while also aligning with the broader vision for the airport precinct. The result is a purpose-built facility that supports smooth operations for multiple rental providers and enhances the experience for travellers picking up or returning their vehicles.

All modules for the rental car facility were constructed at Saltair’s Sunshine Coast factory, where our team could:

• Maintain tight control over quality and finishes
• Coordinate trades efficiently in a controlled environment
• Reduce exposure to weather-related delays
• Streamline the program from design through to installation

By manufacturing offsite, we were able to ensure that once the modules were ready, the on-site component of the project could be completed as quickly and cleanly as possible, a key consideration within an active airport environment.

One of the standout aspects of this project was the logistical execution required to deliver and install the modules.

To avoid disruption to airport operations, module delivery and placement were carefully planned to occur before the airport thoroughfare opened for the day. This required:

• Detailed coordination with Sunshine Coast Airport operations
• Scheduling delivery vehicles and cranes within a narrow time window
• Ensuring all onsite works were staged and ready for a smooth install

The result was a highly efficient installation, with modules transported, craned into position and secured without impacting the daily flow of passengers, vehicles or airport services.

This kind of logistical precision is one of the key advantages of modular delivery, particularly in busy or constrained environments like airports, hospitals, schools and tourism hubs.

While the finished facility may appear simple and streamlined to the public, a great deal of thought went into both the design and delivery stages.

The project highlights Saltair’s capability to:

• Design smart, modular spaces with clear operational flows
• Integrate building services to suit high-use commercial tenancies
• Coordinate with multiple stakeholders, from airport management to tenants
• Plan and execute complex logistics to minimise disruption

By combining innovative modular design with carefully managed installation, the project was completed faster than a traditional build, with less impact on airport operations and surrounding infrastructure.

Using a modular approach offered several benefits for the Sunshine Coast Airport rental car facility, including:

• Reduced construction timeframes on site
• Improved safety, with less intensive on-ground construction activity
• Consistent quality, thanks to factory-based manufacturing
• Future flexibility, with modules that can be adapted, extended or relocated as needs evolve

For the airport and its rental partners, this translated into a faster path from concept to operation, enabling the facility to start generating value sooner while supporting the growing number of visitors to the region.

For many travellers, the rental car facility is one of their first touchpoints with the Sunshine Coast after landing. Saltair is proud to have played a role in shaping that experience.

This project reflects our broader commitment to:

• Supporting regional infrastructure
• Delivering efficient, considered modular solutions
• Working collaboratively in complex, live environments

Whether it’s community housing, tourism assets, education facilities or transport infrastructure, Saltair continues to demonstrate how modular innovation can deliver smarter outcomes, from the foundations through to the final handover.

So next time you rent a car at Sunshine Coast Airport, you won’t just be picking up keys, you’ll be stepping into a facility that represents what thoughtful modular design and precise delivery can achieve.