Regional airports share $14m for improvements, Grylls

Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 29-November-2011

Regional aviation facilities across Western Australia will continue to benefit from the Regional Airport Development Scheme (RADS), with the announcement of almost $14million in grants for 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the grants would comprise $10million from the Royalties for Regions program and $3.8million from RADS.

“This funding demonstrates the State Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring regional airports are developed and maintained to support communities, businesses and tourism,” Mr Buswell said.

“Since RADS was introduced in 1997, nearly 150 regional airports have received funding for infrastructure upgrades, maintenance programs and studies.

“In the 2011-12 funding round, more than $2.5million was provided to airports at Albany, Busselton and Esperance to establish passenger security screening facilities, ensuring the airports complied with recent changes to Federal Government legislation regarding security screening.”

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said Royalties for Regions provided RADS with a significant boost which enabled a wider scope of projects.

“Aviation is a vital service for regional communities providing an essential link between rural properties, neighbouring towns and regional centres,” Mr Grylls said.

“The program also has the capacity to reach remote indigenous communities with more than $315,000 provided to six communities, including Kundat-Kjaru airport in the Kimberley to extend the runway, purchase and install airfield lighting and an illuminated windsock.”

Community members are encouraged to approach their local authority if they have a proposal to improve their local airport. Owners and operators of existing or proposed publicly accessible airports are eligible to apply for funding in 2012-13