Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (right) and Narromine Shire Council Mayor Craig Davies at Narromine Airport, which is undergoing a number of upgrades thanks to more than $800,000 in funding from the previous two rounds of the Regional Airports Program.

Regional airports or aerodromes across the Parkes electorate can now apply for their share of $29 million available to support vital safety and accessibility upgrades.

Applications are now open for Round 3 of the Regional Airports Program (RAP). Grants of between $20,000 and $5 million are available to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said delivering funding for safety and accessibility works at regional airports would have both immediate and long-term benefits for local communities.

“Aviation forms the backbone of our way of life and our economies, which is why I am proud to see we are delivering more funding to ensure our regions are better and more safely connected,” Mr Coulton said.

“This funding will ensure we continue to get our world-renowned goods to markets, locals to where they need to be, and medical and other supplies in – while providing a short-term boost to regional jobs and cash flow during construction works.

“I encourage airports and aerodromes in the Parkes electorate to consider applying for funding that will make a real difference for their operations, their workers and our communities.”

Airports across the Parkes electorate have already benefitted from funding under previous rounds of the RAP, including:

• Narromine Airport – $419,750 under Round 1 for the installation of pilot activated lighting on the taxiway and at the holding point and the installation of fencing and an illuminated wind indicator, and an additional $389,000 in Round 2 to construct a new taxiway, reseal the existing taxiways and apron area, remove trees and upgrade the water supply
• Dubbo Airport – $250,000 under Round 1 for heavy patching and resealing works to improve safety and workability, and an additional $300,000 in Round 2 for stage two of the project
• Narrabri Airport – $299,392 under Round 1 for apron upgrades, and an additional $297,000 in Round 2 to reseal a section of the runway
• Gilgandra Aerodrome – $83,159 under Round 1 for a runway lighting upgrade
• Gunnedah Airport – $198,000 under Round 1 for perimeter fencing, runway lighting, line marking, and the installation of CCTV and terminal fencing

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said regional airports play a vital role in sustaining regional economies and communities.

“Our Government is continuing to provide the funding needed to strengthen regional Australia,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Recent flooding events have highlighted just how crucial regional airports and aerodromes can be for getting essential supplies and aero-medical services into communities.

“This $29 million funding injection will deliver vital upgrades and improvements to keep regional airports and aerodromes operating at their full capacity, ensuring the smooth delivery of goods and services to regional areas, boosting tourism and keeping locals and visitors moving.”

Under the $100 million RAP, the Government has already committed nearly $71 million toward 150 projects nationwide.

This funding supports important works including runway resurfacing to ensure safer landings, drainage works to prevent future flooding or erosion of runway surfaces, lighting upgrades to allow for night landings, and fencing to maintain a safer landing area.

Applications close 17 May 2022. Further information, including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements and the application process, is available at: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-airports-program-round-3