The Western Australian Government has awarded grants to a number of regional airports across the state, as part of its Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS).
Western Australian Transport Minister, Bill Marmion, said the grants would fund upgrades to regional and remote aviation infrastructure.
“Regional airports play an important role in WA, not only for economic and tourism support; they are also critical for community access to services, such as medical transport,” Mr Marmion said.
“This government wants to ensure everyone in this state, regardless of geographical location, has access to safe and efficient aviation services.
“A wide range of projects have received funding including; installing fencing at Tjuntjuntjara to stop animals wandering over the runway, resealing the Katanning airstrip, and constructing a helicopter landing site at Manjimup airport.”
The City of Geraldton received the largest grant of nearly $300,000 to purchase and install X-ray and explosive trace detection equipment to increase airport security and safety.
Funding allocations for each WA region include:
- Goldfields-Esperance – $204,005
- Great Southern – $140,670
- Kimberley – $39,218
- Mid-West – $294,050
- Pilbara – $55,584
- South-West – $497,859
- Wheatbelt – $16,422
The above projects have been allocated from the $3.88 million set aside for the 2017-19 RADS funding round, with $2.6 million remaining for future project applications.
The RADS scheme is delivered by the Department of Transport in partnership with local governments and communities.
The 2017-19 RADS funding round opened on July 4, 2016 and received 31 applications, some of which are being considered further.
