Funding flows for lifesaving remote airstrip upgrades

Connections to some of Australia's most regional and remote communities have been further strengthened today with $7 million allocated to 31 projects under Round 5 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the funding will deliver better access and safety upgrades for remote community airstrips.

“As a regional Member of Parliament, I understand connectivity is important for every community but none more so than remote towns and smaller communities across Australia which rely on good transport links to survive and thrive,” Mr McCormack said.

“These airstrip upgrades ensure continued access to essential, potentially lifesaving, health care as well as fresh food, mail services and access to employment and education opportunities.

“This funding will kick start a host of much needed projects across the country such as a major upgrade to the Mapoon aerodrome in Far North Queensland, new lighting and an emergency power generator in Quilpie and the resealing and resurfacing of the runways at Ivanhoe in New South Wales and Hopetoun in Victoria.

“One of the biggest projects to be funded is major works at the Camooweal airstrip. The Government will invest more than $570,000 along with matching funding from Mount Isa City Council to excavate, level and reseal the airstrip and install better drainage.

“I am looking forward to seeing all 31 projects get underway and continuing to work with remote communities to make sure we deliver the infrastructure needed to boost local economies, support local needs and create more local jobs.”

For more information on the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, visit https://infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/regional/raug.aspx.

A list of successful projects is located below.

Remote Airstrip Upgrade Grants—funding details

Applicant State Aerodrome Project CmthFunding $ (GST exc)
Central Darling Shire Council NSW Ivanhoe Reseal the runway, taxiway and apron. $65,000.00
NT Dept of Infrastrucutre, Planning and Logistics NT Bulla Camp Resheet, regrade and remove all shrinkage holes on the runway $225,000.00
NT Dept of Infrastrucutre, Planning and Logistics NT Daly Waters Install animal proof fencing and clearing works $250,000.00
NT Dept of Infrastrucutre, Planning and Logistics NT Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella) Reseal runway, taxiway and apron and line mark $215,000.00
NT Dept of Infrastrucutre, Planning and Logistics NT Kintore Reseal runway, taxiway and apron and line mark $285,000.00
NT Dept of Infrastrucutre, Planning and Logistics NT Papunya Reseal runway, taxiway and apron and line mark $285,000.00
Warddeken Land Management Ltd NT Kabulwarnamyo Clearing of flyovers and approaches, widen the runway to 18m, install lighting, windsock, and windsock lighting $306,325.00
Australian Cattle Holdings Pty Ltd NT Montejinni Widen airstrip to 15m, grade runway, install exclusion fencing, install solar lighting, lay concrete start up pad for aircraft engine run ups $101,313.09
AA Company Pty Ltd and its holding company Australian Agricultural Company Pty Ltd NT Delamere Install exclusion fencing, install solar lighting, lay a concrete start up pad for aircraft engine run ups $34,504.03
Boulia Shire Council QLD Boulia Repair runway surface cracks and associated earthworks, replace runway lighting switchboard $34,624.53
Mt Isa City Council QLD Camooweal Excavate and rehabilitate failing surface, cut new diversion drainage to the apron area, cut out the damaged and depressed pavement areas, correct subsoil drainage, reinstate pavement material and bitumen seal by overlaying with asphalt surfacing, and reinstate pavement line marking $572,119.58
Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation QLD Chuulangun Re-sheet and repair of the gravel airstrip pavements, improve drainage, install Solar Lighted Windsock Assembly, replace faulty solar airstrip lighting and repair and restore animal proof fence line around aerodrome. $179,998.00
Cook Shire Council QLD Coen Repair and install aerodrome fencing. $15,000.00
Cook Shire Council QLD Cooktown Purchase and installation of an AWIS broadcast unit $4,250.00
Cloncurry Shire Council QLD Dajarra Installation of animal proof fence on the surrounds of the airstrip. $51,195.00
Maranoa Regional Council QLD Injune Levelling and preparation of a pad approximately 30m by 17m, bitumen chip seal wind direction indicator circle and signal circles. repair of damaged edges of helipad. $15,500.00
Longreach Regional Council QLD Isisford Supply and install Solar Powered Lights to the Runway $37,500.00
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council QLD Lockhart River/Iron Range Purchase and install a new 5400m x 2.25m wildlife proof fence. $371,000.00
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council QLD Mapoon
  1. Clearing to Airstrip and surrounds to provide CASA standard OLS
  2. New 1.8m high Security Fencing around runway strip
  3. Extend Runway by 250m 4.Provide upgraded cement treated base
  4. Provide upgraded cement treated base
  5. Seal Runway ,Taxiway and Apron
  6. Provide Pilot Activated Runway Lighting t
  7. Provide Lighted Windsock
  8. Provide Flood Lighting to Apron Area
  9. Provide Emergency Power Generator and Ancillaries
 $1,565,000.00
McKinlay Shire Council QLD McKinlay Upgrade current material to a paved and sealed surface. $594,870.00
Palm Island Aborginal Shire Council QLD Palm Island Provide upgraded fencing $50,000.00
Quilpie Shire Council QLD Quilpie Purchase and install pilot activated medium density lighting and emergency power generator to allow aerodrome lighting to work in inclement weather $210,000.00
Barcoo Shire Council QLD Stonehenge Runway repairs an sealing of runway. $325,000.00
Goondiwindi Regional Council QLD Texas Earthworks/pavement works including :
  • Turning nodes at each end of the runway;
  • Relocation of the apron; and
  • Relocation of the entrance (including associated drainage, sealing works and fencing)
 $11,250.00
Boulia Shire Council QLD Urandangie Reseal and linemark runway and apron $187,130.00
Innamincka Progress Association SA Innamincka Resheeting of the runway $501,822.50
Flinders Council TAS Flinders Island Replace existing aerodrome fencing with energised wallaby proof fencing $55,000.00
Shire of Mt Marshall WA Beacon
  • Grade and roll the runway
  • Re-establish the western drain
  • Clear vegetation
  • Install runway lighting
  • Place marker cones
  • Install aerodrome fencing
 $157,000.00
Parnngurr Aboriginal Corporation WA Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) Installation of fencing around the aerodrome $40,519.00
Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley WA Wyndham Provision of new cable in conduit and buried at a depth of no less than 600mm. $45,000.00
Yarriambiack Shire Council VIC Hopetoun Regulation and resurfacing of runway $250,000.00
      TOTAL 7,040,920.73