Great news for Outback Airports!

The Minns State Labor government has announced a $15 million upgrade for three key remote airstrips across rural New South Wales.

$15 million from the NSW government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust will be used to upgrade airstrips at Bourke, White Cliffs, and Deniliquin, increasing economic development opportunities and ensuring healthcare and emergency services are able to reach these communities into the future.

Upgrades will include increasing runways, lengths, widths and weight limits, meaning larger planes with bigger loads can be accommodated. Taxiway, lighting and line markings will also be improved to increase visibility and safety for pilots.

It is forecast that new, heavier aircrafts will increasingly be used for health and other emergency services to accommodate more patients, passengers and supplies. These upgrades will ensure that these communities can safely accommodate these services.

Further, the increased capacity of these airstrips will boost economic opportunities for the community as larger business services may be welcomed.

The selection of these locations follows a statewide audit of remote airstrips, including consultation with local councils, the RAAF, the Flying Doctor, NSW SES, NSW Ambulance, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

A scope of work for each of the three airstrips has been developed with works on the projects expected to commence by mid-2025.

The Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said that investing in our regional airstrips will help ensure remote communities can continue to access the services they need, whether it’s health, emergency or business services, especially in critical times when they are needed most.

“These upgrades are about making sure we are boosting service delivery to rural NSW and that we are building strong and resilient regional communities,” Ms Moriarty said.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that air travel in rural NSW is vital for accessing specialised health services and increases economic opportunities in these rural communities. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

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Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford has welcomed the multimillion dollar investment in the Bourke Airport. Photo TWH