26 regional and remote airports across Western Australia have received a share of $2.6 million in funding, under the 2019-20 round of the Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS).
The RADS grants, funded through the WA Department of Transport, will provide vital funding to help improve infrastructure and safety over the coming year.
Projects funded in this round include runway resealing, upgrading airstrip lighting for night landings, installation of fencing and nets to keep animals out, developing airport master plans and improving operational safety and facilities for the Royal Flying Doctor Service operations.
The Goldfields-Esperance region has received the largest grant amount, with nearly $800,000 going to four airports.
Meanwhile, Laverton Airport received the largest overall grant (more than $350,000) to build an additional taxiway and aircraft parking area to accommodate substantial air traffic growth at the airport.
The total value of RADS grants by region is below:
- Gascoyne: $532,735
- Goldfields-Esperance: $793,391
- Great Southern: $137,287
- Kimberley: $345,343
- Mid-West: $396,315
- Pilbara: $12,506
- South-West: $166,120
- Wheatbelt: $264,207
WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said this round of RADS grants had gone to a huge range of projects.
“Funding in this year’s grants round has wider benefits to each of the successful communities through better medical access, improved access for fire services and helping to alleviate issues like delays,” Ms Saffioti said.
“This year we’re funding projects like the patient transfer facility and clinical space at Tallinup Airport, and improving water bomber aircraft facilities at Northam and Narrogin airports to enhance firefighting capabilities in the Wheatbelt.
“Remote airstrips like Tjuntjuntjara, Coral Bay, Fitzroy Crossing and Parnngurr Community, are crucial for emergency and medical evacuations by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
In the last ten years, 283 regional airport projects have been granted more than $42 million in RADS funding, helping transform regional airports across WA.
