The Australian Government’s Regional Airports Program will see 44 airports across regional Australia be made safer and more accessible, with the airports sharing in $27.9 million of funding under round three of the Regional Airports Program.
The Regional Airports Program provides grants to improve the safety and accessibility of airports or aerodromes in regional areas.
The program funds important upgrades, including works such as resurfacing runways to ensure air operators can land safely and without damaging their aircraft, or installing fencing to prevent animals entering the airport, providing safer landings for air operators.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, said, “The Regional Airports Program delivers significant benefits for regional aviation and communities, including increasing safety for aircraft, operators and passengers.
“These projects are also an investment in the improved delivery of goods and services, including healthcare and passenger air services.
“The Australian Government is committed to bolstering connections from Australia’s regions to domestic and global market opportunities.
“Investing in our regional airports is also critical to supporting the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services.”
The Airports that received funding in the third round of grants include:
New South Wales
The Kempsey Shire Council, NSW received $5,000,000 for the resurfacing of runway, Pilot Activated Lighting (PAL) upgrade and all-weather ambulance shelter at Kempsey Airport.
The Council of the City of Broken Hill, NSW received $4,998,048 for upgrades to aircraft pavement movement areas at Broken Hill Airport.
The Upper Hunter Shire Council, NSW received $2,464,736 to upgrade the runway surface at Scone Regional Airport.
The Glen Innes Severn Council, NSW received $1,101,059 for the renewal of the main runway, lighting upgrade, PAL system and illuminated wind direction indicator at Glen Innes Airport.
The Dubbo Regional Council, NSW received $572,500 for General Aviation drainage upgrade (stage 3) at Dubbo Regional Airport.
The Armidale Regional Council, NSW, received $443,185 for re-sealing and line-marking of the runway and replacement of secondary Wind Direction Indicator at Armidale Regional Airport.
The Berrima District Aero Club, NSW received $419,947 to extend the runway and repair areas of runway, runway strip and apron at Mittagong Airfield.
The Bega Valley Shire Council, NSW received $402,500 for surface and ground water management improvements at Merimbula Airport.
The Dubbo Regional Council, NSW received $350,000 to do heavy patchwork, repair and reseal of runway at Wellington Aerodrome.
The Orange City Council, NSW received $330,000 for the replacement of the runway and taxiway lighting with LED lights at Orange Regional Airport.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSW received $300,000 for security fencing renewal, windsock lighting improvement, additional runway gables and replacements of taxiway lighting poles at Moruya Airport.
The Inverell Shire Council, NSW received $271,250 to upgrade and extend the aircraft parking apron at Inverell Airport.
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council, NSW received $124,000 for upgrades to the airstrip and fencing works at Crookwell Aerodrome.
The Narrabri Shire Council, NSW received $96,925 for the installation of hinged poles and LED floodlights to apron at Narrabri Airport.
The Parkes Shire Council, NSW received $70,455 to upgrade the apron LED lighting at Parkes Regional Airport.
The Mid-Western Regional Council, NSW received $50,000 to upgrade the ambulance transfer facility at Mudgee Regional Airport.
Victoria
The Campaspe Shire Council, VIC received $2,350,000 to resurface and upgrade the airstrip, extend the main runway, reseal taxiway and aprons, improve drainage, replace PAL to LED threshold lights, install patient transfer station and dedicated aeromedical helipad at the Echuca Aerodrome.
The East Gippsland Shire Council, VIC received $1,546,379 for the construction of a patient transfer station and dedicated taxiway/apron for medevac aircraft at Bairnsdale Airport.
The Mildura Airport, VIC received $762,616 to re-seal the secondary runway, three associated taxiways, main apron and re-line marking.
The Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome Management, VIC received $471,771 for runway and taxiway surface treatment works and installation of lighting systems to runways and taxiways including Pilot Activated Lighting Control and illuminated wind direction indicator at Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome.
The Hindmarsh Shire Council, VIC received $150,000 for the stabilisation of existing pavement, and surfacing of the taxiway and main aircraft parking area and drainage works at Nhill Aerodrome.
The West Wimmera Shire Council, VIC received $135,000 for the construction of new taxiway, apron and water tanks for use by firefighting aircraft and patient transfer facility at Edenhope Aerodrome.
The Central Goldfields Shire Council, VIC received $110,000 to upgrade to water infrastructure, emergency power supply installation for runway lighting, and upgrade the perimeter fencing at the Maryborough Aerodrome.
The Greater Bendigo City Council, VIC received $100,000 for the upgrade of fencing to reduce wildlife hazard at Bendigo Airport.
Queensland
The Central Highlands Regional Council, QLD received $1,592,932 for the remediation of runways, graded areas and drainage works at Emerald Airport.
The Gladstone Airport, QLD received $864,204 for surface sealing treatments to rejuvenate five main aprons and one taxiway and a further $185,000 floodlighting upgrades & Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI).
The Burdekin Shire Council, QLD received $139,000 for the removal and replacement of fencing at the Ayr Aerodrome.
The Hinchinbrook Shire Council, QLD received $152,500 for taxiway drainage and access improvements, fencing drainage outlet, Aerodrome Weather Safety Equipment at the Ingham Aerodrome.
The Brisbane West Wellcamp (Toowoomba) Airport, QLD received $91,623 for runway and taxiway line-marking, LED upgrade to apron lighting, and storm-water management upgrad.
The Maranoa Regional Council, QLD received $68,000 for repairing apron servicing medical/rescue aircraft at Roma Airport.
The South Burnett Regional Council, QLD received $30,000 for the installation of security gates and animal fencing at the Kingaroy Aerodrome.
The Gympie Regional Council, QLD received $20,000 for the replacement of 10 gable markers, grading and drainage improvement works to the grass landing strip at the Gympie Aerodrome.
South Australia
The Coorong District Council, SA received $193,125 for the sealing of an unsealed section of primary runway, pavement rehabilitation of secondary runway and taxiways, primary runway lighting replacement and line-marking at the Tintinara Aerodrome.
The District Council of Mount Remarkable, SA received $139,819 for the replacement of runway edge and hold point lighting at the Booleroo Centre Aerodrom.
The Corporation of the City of Port Augusta, SA received $111,839 for the installation of an all-weather sealed surface to Taxiway Bravo and LED upgrade of apron lighting at Port Augusta Airport.
Western Australia
The City of Busselton, WA received $218,810 for an apron upgrade and sealing to apron and taxi lane area and associated line-marking at Busselton Margaret River Airport.
The City of Greater Geraldton, WA received $168,327 for surface restoration and resealing of the runway at Geraldton Airport.
The Shire of Beverley, WA received $151,401 to supply and install LED ground lighting at the Beverley Aerodrome.
The Shire of Cranbrook, WA received $62,500 for grading, levelling and gravelling of the runway at the Cranbrook Airstrip.
The City of Bunbury, WA received $49,950 for the expansion of apron including edge lighting to support water bombing aircraft at Bunbury Airport.
Tasmania
The Burnie Airport (on behalf of the Trustee for Burnie Airport Corporation Unit Trust), TAS received $428,450 for the resurfacing of Taxiway A and additional $417,160 for the application of surface treatment to all aircraft movement areas at Burnie Airport.
The Airlines of Tasmania received $241,550 to repair and strengthen the runway, taxiway and apron pavements and aircraft hardstand at the Cambridge Aerodrome.
Other works may include lighting to allow aircraft to land at night to support emergency services or drainage works to prevent flooding or erosion of runway surfaces.
This program has supported 150 projects across regional Australia with nearly $71 million in funding under the first two rounds.
For more information, including the list of successful projects, visit: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/regional-remote-aviation/regional-airports-program
