. Round 5 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programme now open for applications
. Funding available for improving the accessibility and safety of airstrips in remote communities
. Applications will remain open until 20 October 2017
ROUND five of the Federal Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programme is now open.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester said airstrips in remote areas are crucial pieces of community infrastructure.
“For many communities, air services are essential for providing mail, supplies, transport and medical services,” Mr Chester said.
“Improving the safety and capacity of airstrips provides major benefits to the thousands of Australians who would otherwise have to use slower or less reliable transport options.
Federal MP Warren Entsch said he welcomed the call for applications in the latest round of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programme, and encouraged all operators within the Leichhardt electorate to consider putting in a funding submission.
“In Round 4 of the programme, The Northern Peninsula Area regional Council was awarded almost $1 million to upgrade the Northern Peninsula airstrip near Bamaga,” Mr Entsch said.
“A lot of work has been done on this airstrip but there’s still a lot to do, and so I encourage the Council and others to make a submission in Round 5 to ensure Leichhardt receives its fair share of funding under this programme,” Mr Entsch said.
The 2015-16 Federal Budget allocated $33.7 million over four years to fund five rounds of works to improve the safety and capacity of remote airstrips.
In the last round, the Government funded 91 upgrade projects across the country.
Projects included $1.5 million for the reconstruction of the Bathurst Island aerodrome in the Northern Territory; $266,275 for resealing the runway, taxiway and other surfaces at Ravensthorpe, Western Australia; $63,636 for a reseal of the runway and lighting at Menindee in New South Wales; and $3,847 for lighting works at Wudinna in South Australia.
Applications for Round 5 are open until 20 October 2017.
For more information visit: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/regional/index.aspx
(ENDS)