New Camel Proof Fences Provide Safer Airstrips to Remote Australia

A A A

Media Release

CK020/2011

22 September 2011

Eight isolated communities now have access to improved air services following $2.29 million in infrastructure upgrades to their airstrips provided by the Gillard Government’s Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund.

Completed upgrades range from new camel proof fencing to freshly rolled runways, replaced windsocks and solar lighting.

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said the improvements provide the remote communities of Kaltukatjara in the Northern Territory and Warakurna, Jameson, Patjarr, Wanarn, Papulankutja, Warburton and Wingellina in Western Australia, with safer and more reliable access to vital air services.

“Safe, operational aerodromes, and the air services they support, play a vital role in connecting remote communities with each other and with major regional towns and cities,” Ms King said.

“The upgrades we have undertaken in these communities are designed not only to improve the reliability of access to remote communities through improved airstrips, but also allow the people living in these areas to have access to food, mail and medicine.

“This is particularly important where road access is unavailable, unreliable or disrupted for extended periods due to extreme seasonal weather conditions.

“These communities are located up to 1,050 kilometres from Alice Springs, so they are dependent on air services to survive,” Ms King said.

The completion of these upgrades is part of a broader program of works to airstrips throughout remote Australia, funded through the Regional Aviation Access Program.

Ms King said the eight aerodromes that received the upgrades were identified for their importance in servicing remote communities.

To assist with providing more remote airstrip infrastructure upgrades, the Gillard Government allocated an additional $26 million in the 2011–12 Budget, taking the total commitment to $43 million over three years to 2013.

**Details of funding at each airstrip and a map of the locations is below.

Media Contacts

Peter Dwyer - King's Office - 0409 866 054

Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund

Community	Funding	Works
Papulankutja (Blackstone)	$125,323.65	Install a new camel proof fence.
Kaltukatjara (Docker River)	$240,698.06	Lightly fill the two low areas of the runway; Filling in ‘scours’ and other works on the runway strip; Drainage works such as clearing the valley drain on the south side of the runway at eastern end to improve flows; Clear silt from the culvert under the taxiway; Replace 30% of gable markers and relocate others; Replace windsock and pole, extend clear area to improve visibility of the sock; and Repair perimeter fence.
Warakurna (Giles)	$186,465.74	Construct a new track outside the boundary fence: Install a new camel proof fence: and Replace missing markers, relocate others and ensure all markers are in correct positions.
Jameson	$310,581.33	Reseal the runway; Install a new camel proof fence; Replace missing cone markers around the runway; and Replacement of windsock and associated mechanisms.
Patjarr	$212,671.80	Install a new camel proof fence; Replace missing cone markers around the runway; and Replace windsock and pole.
Wanarn	$138,594.38	Install a new camel proof fence; Repair windsock and circle; and Replace missing markers, relocate others and ensure all markers are in correct positions.
Warburton	$721,731.77	Reseal runway and re-mark sealed aerodrome surfaces; Install flood lights over the apron area; Install a second illuminated wind indicator; Install a new camel proof fence; and Replace missing cone markers around the runway.
Irrunytju (Wingellina)	$359,477.59	Drag and roll the runway, taxiway and apron; Remove grader windrow; Install a new camel proof fence; Replace missing markers and ensure all markers are in correct positions; and Extend perimeter fence.
Total	$2,295,544.32 (GST Excl.)

Map

Map showing remote communities of Kaltukatjara in the Northern Territory and Warakurna, Jameson, Patjarr, Wanarn, Papulankutja, Warburton and Wingellina in Western Australia, with safer and more reliable access to vital air services due to new camel proof fences.