PORMPURAAW residents again have access to air services, with the community’s airport re-opening to flights.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government contributed $790,000 towards the airport upgrade from the Regional Aviation Access Program.
“This important program helps upgrade aerodromes in remote and isolated communities around Australia,” Mr Truss said.
“Pormpuraaw’s airport is the community’s lifeline during the wet season when road access is cut off by flooding, much like other remote communities which rely on air services for the delivery of essential goods and services including health care.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the condition of the airstrip restricted the movement of aircraft during the wet season when the surface lifted.
“Through this project, the airstrip and apron have been resealed and new line-marking has been applied, giving Pormpuraaw a more reliable and safer airstrip,” Mr Entsch said.
Member for Cook David Kempton said the LNP Government provided $250,000 towards the project from its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (ATSI TIDS) programme.
“On my recent visit with the remote community I met with council and community leaders. The airport strip was a major topic of discussion, therefore I am pleased with the outcome.”
The $1.04 million project was jointly funded by the Australian Government which invested $790,000 and the Queensland Government which contributed $250,000.