MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Mark Vaile MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Transport and Regional Services
Leader of the Nationals
07 August 2007
125MV/2007
$22 MILLION FOR SAFER RUNWAYS IN REMOTE AUSTRALIA
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, today released guidelines for the Australian Government's $22 million Remote Aerodrome Safety Programme to improve the safety of airstrips in remote and isolated areas of Australia.
"Many communities in remote Australia depend on air services for essential supplies, mail, passenger transport and medical care," Mr Vaile said.
"The Australian Government subsidises a weekly air service to more than 230 isolated communities under the Remote Air Services Subsidy (RASS) scheme, but a growing number of the airstrips used by those communities are in need of upgrading.
"In addition, many isolated airstrips used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service require essential repairs and substantial maintenance works to enhance the safety of the planes or to allow for night landings.
"Funding will be available to repair and upgrade runway surfaces, safety equipment such as runway lighting and navigation aids, and infrastructure such as animal proof fences and gates. The scheme will not cover terminals, buildings, hangars or on-airport commercial developments.
"The funding will generally be provided on a joint basis with the State or Territory Government and the airstrip owner, which will usually be a local council or Indigenous organisation.
"I look forward to working in partnership with State and Local Governments to secure great outcomes for communities in remote Australia," Mr Vaile said.
Applications for funding of eligible projects in 2007-08 will be open until 28 September 2007. Application forms and further information are available from the Department of Transport and Regional Services website at www.dotars.gov.au
Tony
The Hon Mark Vaile MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Transport and Regional Services
Leader of the Nationals
125MV/2007
$22 MILLION FOR SAFER RUNWAYS IN REMOTE AUSTRALIA
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, today released guidelines for the Australian Government's $22 million Remote Aerodrome Safety Programme to improve the safety of airstrips in remote and isolated areas of Australia.
"Many communities in remote Australia depend on air services for essential supplies, mail, passenger transport and medical care," Mr Vaile said.
"The Australian Government subsidises a weekly air service to more than 230 isolated communities under the Remote Air Services Subsidy (RASS) scheme, but a growing number of the airstrips used by those communities are in need of upgrading.
"In addition, many isolated airstrips used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service require essential repairs and substantial maintenance works to enhance the safety of the planes or to allow for night landings.
"Funding will be available to repair and upgrade runway surfaces, safety equipment such as runway lighting and navigation aids, and infrastructure such as animal proof fences and gates. The scheme will not cover terminals, buildings, hangars or on-airport commercial developments.
"The funding will generally be provided on a joint basis with the State or Territory Government and the airstrip owner, which will usually be a local council or Indigenous organisation.
"I look forward to working in partnership with State and Local Governments to secure great outcomes for communities in remote Australia," Mr Vaile said.
Applications for funding of eligible projects in 2007-08 will be open until 28 September 2007. Application forms and further information are available from the Department of Transport and Regional Services website at www.dotars.gov.au
Tony
