The Federal Government on Friday announced Regional Airports Program (RAP) Round 4 grants to Victorian, Queensland and Western Australian airports as it prepares for a Federal Election.
Nine airports in Victoria have been granted a total of $4.5 million for upgrades, 11 Queensland airports will benefit from over $6 million whilst four WA airports will share in $562,000.
The key Victorian announcements are $2 million for resurfacing and repairing the runway and movement areas at Mildura, and $1.1 million for a patient transfer and EMS building at Ballarat.
Major projects for Queensland include $1.1 million to upgrade the apron at Roma, $795,000 for extending and resealing the runway and upgrading taxiways at Gympie and $426,000 for new lighting at Stanthorpe.
Gladstone Airport was granted the lion's share of funding in QLD, with approval for three projects: $1.1 million to resurface and install flood lighting on the northern apron, $1 million for a patient transfer facility and $472,000 to upgrade drainage.
In WA, the grants will cover $357,000 for a sealed apron at Northam and $236,000 to restore and reseal the runway at Katanning.
These announcements come on the back of $12 million already announced for regional airports in NSW.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, who is also the Federal Member for Ballarat, emphasised the importance of the Ballarat development.
“The new facility will mean that whether you’re on your way to fight a fire, or have a family member needing emergency health care, there will be a safe and appropriate place to wait, regardless of the weather outside," she said.
“Ballarat Airport plays a critical role within our region throughout bushfire season, and in supporting emergency healthcare all year long. The benefits of this investment will be felt far beyond the boundaries of the City of Ballarat.”
Other grants announced on Friday include:
- $413,000 to extend and reseal Kyneton, VIC, and install a helipad
- $210,000 to upgrade PAL and tie-downs at Maryborough, VIC, and renew runways, taxiways and helipad
- $143,000 to reseal parts of runway 05/23 and apron at Bendigo, VIC
- $138,000 to reseal runway 01/19 at Yarrawonga, VIC
- $280,000 to reseal Ayr, QLD
- $275,000 for surface repairs and treatment at Bundaberg, QLD
- $247,000 for drainage and reseal at Innisfail, QLD
- $153,000 for drainage, runway repairs, lines and navaids at Cunderdin, WA
- $26,000 to resurface the runway at Boyup Brook.
“We’re backing regional communities in Western Australia by backing regional airports, which provide critical connectivity to other towns, to economic opportunities, and to services like emergency healthcare," King said.
“Importantly, this funding will support safer, better runways that RFDS and fire-fighting aviation services rely on to help communities when they need it most.”
More announcements for RAP grants in other states are expected in the coming days.