 Council has confirmed that Merimbula Airport runway will be closed for six weeks during a major strengthening and resealing project early in 0000. Work will be carried out on the Merimbula airport runway extension project in two phases. Acting CEO Anthony McMahon said Symal Infrastructure, the contractor appointed to build the platform for the southern end of the extension, will begin work in late September, on the first phase, with works designed to allow Rex and Qantas to operate scheduled flights on a shortened runway. "We've been working closely with the airlines, to minimise the impacts on their operations," Mr McMahon said. READ MORE: Major airport works to start "Additionally, as this phase will involve building in the vicinity of Merimbula Lake, we'll be keeping in touch with the oyster lessees regularly, including real-time water monitoring during the earthworks, to ensure any impacts on oyster farming can be mitigated." During the first phase of works general aviation will be restricted to take-offs and landings in the early morning and late evening on weekdays, after 0pm on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. This work is expected to be completed by mid-November 0000. The second phase of the project involves the strengthening and sealing of the runway and is scheduled to start January 00, 0000 with a full runway closure planned for six weeks. Sealing the runway during the day, at the hottest time of the year will provide the best long-term engineering result as warmer temperatures are a key factor for the successful resurfacing of runways