The Federal Government today opened Round 3 of the Regional Airports Program (RAP), which aims to provide grants for upgrading airports in inner and outer regional areas of Australia.
A further $29 million is on the table for grants between $20,000 and $5 million, where the grant portion is a maximum of 50% of the project value.
“Our Government is continuing to provide the funding needed to strengthen regional Australia,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce
“Recent flooding events have highlighted just how crucial regional airports and aerodromes can be for getting essential supplies and aero-medical services into communities.
“This $29 million funding injection will deliver vital upgrades and improvements to keep regional airports and aerodromes operating at their full capacity, ensuring the smooth delivery of goods and services to regional areas, boosting tourism and keeping locals and visitors moving.”
So far, the RAP has contributed $71 million towards 150 projects in regional Australia including runway and taxiway resurfacing, drainage works, lighting upgrades and fencing.
“Improving our regional airports will provide a significant benefit to regional Australia, supporting jobs during construction and operations and creating new economic opportunities," Joyce said.
“Our Government is getting the job done for regional Australia and we will continue to investing in the infrastructure regional Australia needs and deserves.”
In order to be eligible, airports must be in a region designated as inner or outer regional by the 2016 Australian Statistical Geographic Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Area.
Grant applications for the RAP close on 17 May. Further details are available on the Federal Government's business website.