More than $3.5 million in funding is available for regional and remote airports in WA, with the 2023-25 round of the Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) grants open from today.
The RADS grants provide funding to remote and regional airports to upgrade and improve infrastructure, planning and safety – along with enhancing connections and access to air services for regional WA.
Regional airports and airstrip owners can apply for up to 50 per cent funding for projects including runway re-sealing, fencing, patient transfer facilities, solar runway lighting, strategic planning, and other infrastructure renewals.
More than $41 million in RADS funding has assisted more than 300 regional airport projects across WA, helping improve safety, renew facilities and better plan and manage regional airports.
The most recent RADS grants have supported airport improvements at 24 regional and remote airports – including in remote Aboriginal communities such as Balgo Hill, Mulan and Manatamaru.
Applications for the RADS grants close September 23, 2022. For more information or to apply, please visit https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/RADS
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Our Government understands the importance of air travel for remote and regional communities, which is why we continue to invest in programs that improve airport infrastructure, and make flying cheaper – such as our capped airfares scheme.
“Airports are the gateways to many regional towns and cities, and are often the only way in and out of remote areas, and Aboriginal communities in the wet season. In the last ten years, 21 Aboriginal communities have received over $2.5 million in funding to upgrade facilities and infrastructure, helping reduce isolation and improve connection.
“The RADS grants are just one way we are helping improve access and connections for regional and remote Western Australians.
“We have recently implemented capped airfares for regional residents, added direct flights between Derby and Broome, and committed $4 million in funding to expand the Inter-Regional Flight Network to include Geraldton, improving access and better connecting regional residents.”
