The upgrade would include more lounge area, a cafe and increased security at what is the busiest regional airport in the State.

At the latest Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council meeting councillors elected to proceed with the terminal project but will engage an architect to provide comparisons between a new and redeveloped building.

Airport manager Peter Aird said in light of new security measures announced by the Australian Government the council needed to move forward with the terminal project.

One of the measures is increased passenger and baggage screening at airports that are served by large passenger turbo-prop aircraft, such as the QantasLink Q400 now operating into Port Lincoln.

He said originally the airport thought it would have until 2014 to implement the changes but this could be brought forward to 2012, meaning the council needed to act now.

In his report, Mr Aird said a lot of effort had been put into the project over the past month, resulting in plans and a fee offer ready for consideration by the council.

He said research had also gone into the use of a transportable building to temporarily meet the immediate need for an extra lounge area.

The council decided to also ask the architect to prepare a preliminary design, which will enable it to obtain an estimated cost.

The council will also begin developing the design and documentation ready for the tender call.

Councillors agreed that once the first stage of the architect's work was complete and preliminary plans and estimated costs were available, they would invite community comment.

An Airport Redevelopment Committee was also established to allow the project to proceed swiftly and to make decisions at short notice.

Committee members include councillors Neville Trezise, Phillip Porter, Gaile Bobrige, Leon Murray and mayor Julie Low.