AIRSTRIP upgrades worth a total of $645,000 to five aerodromes in the Parkes federal electorate have been announced this week.
Mark Coulton, the member for Parkes said the funding would give the airstrips a new lease on life with several to be resealed.
Mr Coulton said the funding had been allocated to enhance the safety and accessibility of aerodromes in Nyngan, Mungindi, Tilpa, Condobolin and Coonamble, under the Federal Government's Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program.
"Air services are vital to rural and remote communities, and I'm thrilled that the Federal Government is backing five shire councils in my electorate to make sure our airstrips are up to scratch," Mr Coulton said.
"Airstrip upgrades will help these communities maintain their access to regional centres and essential goods and services."
The Coonamble aerodrome runway will be resealed and line-marked, plus an animal exclusion fence completed with $218,988 to Coonamble Shire Council.
With $156,259 the Bogan Shire Council will reseal the bitumen apron, install lighting for emergency vehicles and aircraft, fence the runway area and install refuelling facilities at Nyngan aerodrome, while $155,000 for Moree Plains Shire Council is for improved infrastructure and operations at Mungindi aerodrome for safety of users and patients being transported from Mungindi and surrounds to hospital facilities.
Completion of pavement resealing works and new line-marking at TIlpa aerodrome will commence with $80,000 for Central Darling Shire Council, and $35,000 for Lachlan Shire Council will enable the upgrading of sections at Condobolin aerodrome's perimeter fence to be kangaroo-proof.
"I am very pleased that funding of $19,281 has been allocated to Lachlan Shire Council for a fencing upgrade at the Lake Cargelligo aerodrome," Mr Coulton said.
"In addition to this grant, funding of $50,000 has been committed to Bourke Shire Council, to reseal the taxiway and apron at the Wanaaring airstrip - more great news for remote communities.
In March 2019 $19,281 was allocated to Lachlan Shire Council for a fencing upgrade at the Lake Cargelligo aerodrome, while $50,000 went to Bourke Shire Council to reseal the taxiway and apron at Wanaaring airstrip.
