Regional airports nationwide have been awarded nearly $30 million in grants under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Regional Airports Program.
The 89 projects awarded grants include:
- Charters Towers Regional Council for airstrip, fencing and other upgrades at Charters Towers Airport in Queensland ($400,000);
- Kempsey Shire Council for fencing to reduce wildlife intrusion at Kempsey airport in NSW ($260,857);
- Warrnambool City Council in Victoria to seal Warrnambool airport’s runway ($267,300);
- Shire of Mingenew in WA to upgrade the Mingenew airstrip to support Royal Flying Doctors Service operations ($241,000);
- Corporation of the City of Port Augusta to reseal the apron area and upgrade the runway lighting at Port Augusta airport in SA ($320,000); and
- Break O’Day Council for new fencing at St Helens airport in Tasmania ($90,000).
Australian Airports Association (AAA) Chief Executive James Goodwin said funding for regional airport infrastructure had never been so important.
“Regional airports were among the first hit and will be one of the last to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic with passenger numbers dropping more than 70 percent during the peak,” Mr Goodwin said.
“This new investment not only ensures regional communities can continue to enjoy safe and efficient air transport, it also future proofs regional Australia for generations to come with infrastructure which drives economic growth and connectivity.
“This program will help regional airports deliver projects which create long-term benefits, so communities can continue to have access to freight, work, essential services, health care, family and friends no matter where they live.”
Click here for a full list of the successful projects and more information on the Regional Airports Program.
In other airport funding news, the federal government is extending the Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) and Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) programs until the end of the year.
The Domestic Airports Security Costs Support program, which provides financial assistance to eligible domestic airports to defray costs associated with mandated security screening requirements, has also been extended until 31 December.