Airports across regional Western Australia are invited to apply for the 2017-19 round of the Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS), with available grants totalling $3.88 million.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said the RADS program provided much needed funds for regional airport projects to improve regional air services and air safety, as well as promote development for the benefit of regional communities.
“Funding from the Regional Airports Development Scheme is designed to assist regional airports in various ways. These grants are available to airports located in the regions, so that includes those in the Wagin electorate right through to those in the most remote parts of the State,” Mr Waldron said.
“These grants assist with the maintenance and upgrading of airport infrastructure, and are also for those undertaking planning to ensure their regional airports continue to meet local economic and community needs.”
Since 2008-09, RADS has allocated nearly $36 million to 217 regional airport projects, helping to improve their facilities and airport infrastructure planning.
A number of airports across the Wagin electorate have gained access to RADS funding in the past few years, such as Katanning Airport and Bremer Bay Airport.
Nationals WA candidate for Roe and Katanning local Peter Rundle said the State Government was committed to ensuring safe and accessible aviation services that met the transport needs of regional communities, throughout WA.
Mr Rundle said the latest funding available under the RADS initiative would help with this “important commitment”.
The 2017-19 round of funding is available to eligible owners or leaseholders of regional airports that can be accessed by the public. Applications for grants must provide for common-user transport infrastructure to improve air services and/or air safety for regional communities.
The 2017-19 RADS grants are funded through the Department of Transport.
All applications for grants will be assessed by the RADS consultative committee, which is made up of representatives from the departments of Transport, Fire and Emergency Services, Planning, Housing, and Regional Development; along with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS); and Tourism WA.
Applications opened on Monday and close at 5pm (AWST) on Friday August 5, 2016.
Guidelines and application details are available at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/rads
