$600,000 for a smooth landing for Tibooburra

Upper House MP Sam Farraway announced the funding will be provided under the COVID-19 stimulus program to support an important infrastructure upgrade for the Far West.

“Tibooburra is one of NSW’s most remote aerodromes and provides a crucial service for the residents of Tibooburra and other Far West communities,” Mr Farraway said.

“This $600,000 stimulus is great news as it will allow for an upgrade of the aerodrome’s runway to ensure a continued safe and secure all-weather landing strip.

“The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands, which manages the aerodrome with the assistance of local reporting officer John Ainsworth, will engage specialist providers to do the resealing work.”

Runway resealing is needed periodically at Tibooburra Aerodrome as aircraft landings and takeoffs and the baking summer sun take their toll on the bitumen strip. The last reseal was in 2016.

The runway funding follows over $100,000 in other recent improvements including new solar lighting to maintain 24-hour access last December, a new tilting wind mast in May to make windsock changes safer and easier, and new runway line markings in January.

These upgrades will ensure the aerodrome continues serving rural residents near the borders of NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

The aerodrome, which also has second unsealed runway, provides the only all-weather airstrip to keep the district accessible when local roads are flooded.

“The aerodrome provides essential public infrastructure allowing The Royal Flying Doctor Service to do a weekly clinic run to provide GP, dental, mental health and other support to the local community as well as emergency evacuations,” Mr Farraway said.

“Tibooburra Health Service relies on the Flying Doctor for medical and allied health clinics and to bring medical supplies.”

As well as the Flying Doctor, the aerodrome is also used by Police, Fire and Rescue, State Emergency Service, the Flying Padre, Australian Plague Locust Commission, Moomba Gas Pipeline, tourism operators and the district’s residents.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the COVID-19 stimulus program was upgrading important community infrastructure across the State while supporting jobs and local economies.

“Stimulus projects are supporting regional companies, tradies and economies which have struggled with everything this year from floods, to fires to COVID.”

Royal Flying Doctor Service at Tibooburra Aerodrome

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