Airstrip upgrades backed in funding round

Communities in Far North Queensland are among the big winners in the Australian Government’s latest round of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said Aurukun, Coen and Pormpuraaw airports would receive much-needed upgrades to help local communities maintain access to essential goods and services. Aurukun, Coen and Pormpuraaw airports will receive much-needed upgrades under the program. “Cook Shire Council will receive $371,800 to undertake urgent and critical resealing of the Coen airport runway to ensure the ongoing safety of airstrip users,” Mr Entsch said. “Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council will receive $468,447 to replace old and decaying fences at their airport to limit risk to animals and wildlife as well as improving safety for aircraft and passengers. “Aurukun Shire Council will receive $288,372 to upgrade its airport to include Precision Approach Path Indicator lighting.” “Upgrades like this mean that Cape York residents will have improved connectivity to regional centres and increased access to essential services." Meanwhile Mornington Shire Council has had $358,685 in works approved, while in North Queensland Charters Regional Council has won funding for upgrades at Greenvale and Pentland. (Full list of funded Queensland works below) Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the $8 million in funding for 46 projects across the nation under the latest round of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program would improve air access and enhance the safety of remote aerodromes across Australia. “Many remote communities rely on airstrips for their delivery of food, medical supplies, mail and other essential goods and services,” Mr McCormack said. “The funding is for communities right across remote Australia, from Elcho Island in the Northern Territory, to the Kimba aerodrome on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Kununoppin in the Wheat Belt region of Western Australia and Palm Island in Queensland. “It is imperative these airstrips are repaired, resealed and are up to standard so that users can land safely to provide the critical deliveries and air transport connections for rural communities. “Operations that directly benefit from these upgrades include the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Angel Flight and bushfire fighting services.” Cook Shire CouncilQLDCoenReseal runway.371,800Bulloo Shire CouncilQLDThargomindahInstall fencing to prevent animal incursions.154,000Mornington Shire CouncilQLDMornington IslandReduce safety hazards, complete drainage works, install aircraft tie downs, prepare a new aerodrome manual and train airport staff.358,685Maranoa Regional CouncilQLDMitchellRemove damaged apron surface and seal the apron and taxiway.215,000Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLDPormpuraawReplace existing fencing to reduce animal incursions.468,447Diamantina Shire CouncilQLDBedourieRe-gravel the runway edges to stop erosion and improve safety for aircraft.148,163Aurukun Shire CouncilQLDAurukunInstall Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lighting.288,372Boulia Shire CouncilQLDBouliaComplete runway surface crack repairs and install new fencing.136,340Burke Shire CouncilQLDBurketown and GregoryReplace incandescent lighting with LED lighting in Burketown and install new LED solar lamps in Gregory.124,500Charters Towers Regional CouncilQLDGreenvaleReplace runway solar lighting, install fencing and marker cones to delineate the unsealed runway and remove trees that are causing a safety hazard.150,000Charters Towers Regional CouncilQLDPentlandReplace runway solar lighting, install fencing and marker cones to delineate the unsealed runway and remove trees that are causing a safety hazard.150,000Paroo Shire CouncilQLDYowahRe-sheet the gravel surface, install new marker cones and upgrade the apron surface.149,980Palm Island Aboriginal CouncilQLDPalm IslandRepaint runway markings, improve drainage, draft operations manual, update training for airport staff and purchase safety equipment.278,800

Airstrip upgrades backed in funding round

Industry Queensland

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