Fifty-three remote airports across Australia will share in $11.6 million in improvement grants from the Federal Government.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the funding today, which is part of the government's Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program.
The round of grants includes $1.5 million to raise the runway, taxiways and apron at Norseman, $1.25 million to restructure Carnarvon, $875,000 to re-seal and upgrade the lighting at Mornington Island and $750,000 to extend the runway at Finke.
“This funding is part of the Government's announcement in the 2015–16 Budget of $33.7 million over four years for access and safety upgrades for remote community airstrips,” Truss said.
“These airstrip upgrades will ensure continued community access to essential healthcare services, including emergency medical evacuations, improved access to work and educational opportunities, and help connect residents of remote communities through passenger air services.
“While not appreciated in the cities, local airstrips are vital in the delivery of essential goods and services to remote communities, including medical care. They also better connect remote communities with each other.
“With such vast distances spanning our continent, safe and functioning remote airstrips are often the only reliable means of transport for people living in our most isolated areas."
Funds will be made available to 15 Queensland airports including Blackall, St George, Barcaldine and Palm Island, 10 Northern Territory airports, nine airports in South Australia, mostly Aboriginal Services airports, eight in NSW including Lightning Ridge, Lake Cargelligo, Menindee and Wentworth, seven in Western Australia including major works at Norseman and Carnarvon, and Flinders Island in Tasmania.
No Victorian airports are to receive improvements funding in this round.
The full list of projects is on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website.