Remote communities will benefit from an additional $9.9 million over the next two years to upgrade airstrips, the federal government announced in its 2013/14 budget.
The additional funding, provided under the ‘Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program’, is for aviation safety upgrades on a co-funding basis and to provide for a higher proportion of funding for works at identified remote indigenous communities.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said: “For Australians living in remote communities, the local airstrip is a vital lifeline, providing residents with regular air access for emergency services, essential supplies and connecting them to regional centres.
“Already, more than $50 million has been made available through the program to upgrade 237 remote airstrips, ensuring some of the nation’s most remote communities have access to safe, reliable and regular air services.”
Applications for funding will open in late May.
The federal government said it has allocated more than $261 million of funding to regional and remote aviation.
