Remote airstrips receive $2 million makeover, Crook
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 27-September-2011
Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has welcomed the completion of upgrades to seven remote airstrips in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
More than $2 million was invested in essential infrastructure works on these remote airstrips, including providing camel-proof fences, resealing of runways and general repairs and maintenance.
The funding was administered by the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King MP, as part of the Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund.
Mr Crook said the airstrips played a vital role in keeping regional communities linked to each other, and to major regional towns and cities.
“These Central Desert communities are hundreds of kilometres away from major towns or cities, and access to air services is a essential,” Mr Crook said.
“On top of the big ticket items like new fencing and re-sealing the runway, funding was provided to install new windsocks, repair damaged signage, and replace missing runway markers.
“Small items like this may not seem like much, but as a former pilot, these little touches make all the difference in whether an airstrip is safe to land on or not.”
Mr Crook said remote airstrips were especially important during seasonal floods, when remote communities could become cut off by road.
“In the case of an emergency it is vital that planes are still able to get in and out of the community to lend assistance – whether that be to transport passengers to safety, or to deliver fresh food and supplies to people in need.”
Mr Crook said his background with the Royal Flying Doctor Service also highlighted the importance of keeping remote airstrips in safe operational order.
“The RFDS is a lifeline to these communities and it is very important to maintain our remote airstrips so they can get doctors in and get patients out in an emergency.”
Mr Crook thanked the Federal Government for delivering these upgrades.
“These remote communities will now have safer and more reliable access to vital air services.”
Mr Crook visited the Ngaanyatjarra Lands earlier in September for the Desert Dust-Up sports carnival.
** For further media inquiries please contact Cale Hill on 0467 450 000 **
Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund
|
Community
|
Funding
|
Works
|
|
Papulankutja (Blackstone)
|
$125,323.65
|
· Install a new camel proof fence.
|
|
Warakurna (Giles)
|
$186,465.74
|
· Construct a new track outside the boundary fence:
· Install a new camel proof fence: and
· Replace missing markers, relocate others and ensure all markers are in correct positions.
|
|
Jameson
|
$310,581.33
|
· Reseal the runway;
· Install a new camel proof fence;
· Replace missing cone markers around the runway; and
· Replacement of windsock and associated mechanisms.
|
|
Patjarr
|
$212,671.80
|
· Install a new camel proof fence;
· Replace missing cone markers around the runway; and
· Replace windsock and pole.
|
|
Wanarn
|
$138,594.38
|
· Install a new camel proof fence;
· Repair windsock and circle; and
· Replace missing markers, relocate others and ensure all markers are in correct positions.
|
|
Warburton
|
$721,731.77
|
· Reseal runway and re-mark sealed aerodrome surfaces;
· Install flood lights over the apron area;
· Install a second illuminated wind indicator;
· Install a new camel proof fence; and
· Replace missing cone markers around the runway.
|
|
Irrunytju (Wingellina)
|
$359,477.59
|
· Drag and roll the runway, taxiway and apron;
· Remove grader windrow;
· Install a new camel proof fence;
· Replace missing markers and ensure all markers are in correct positions; and
· Extend perimeter fence.
|
|
Total
|
$2,054,846.26 (GST Excl.)
|
|
See this article on the member's website