Additional funds have been allocated to upgrade more airstrips in remote areas of Australia.
This follows the allocation of $5.9 million in this month's Federal Budget to extend the Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund for a further two years.
"For remote communities whose road access is poor or disrupted for extended periods during the wet season, the local airstrip is a vital lifeline," Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said. "If these Australians are to continue reaping the economic and social benefits of aviation, we need to continue investing in their airstrips."
The new funding will upgrade up to 19 airstrips from a 'charter' safety standard to the higher 'regular public transport' standard, with the likely work ranging from the laying of an all-weather runway to the relocation of the airstrip away from hilly terrain. The allocation of funding will be prioritised on the basis of need in consultation with CASA.
The new funding builds on last year's initial allocation of $3 million, with $3.9 million to be spent in 2010-11 and a further $2.0 million in the following financial year. This funding is in addition to the ongoing Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP), which helps local communities fund routine maintenance on and repairs to their airstrips.
A hangar at Gunnedah Aerodrome in NSW. (Chris Frend)
