Funding Flows for Texas Airstrip
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26 March 2018
Media release: Funding flows for Texas airstrip
Texas airstrip has been selected to receive federal government funding to invest in its provision of potentially lifesaving transport services.
It was announced on Friday that Texas airstrip would receive $11,250 of subsidy funding under Round 5 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program (RAU) following a successful application by the Goondiwindi Regional Council. The funding is a 50% subsidy and Council will match the same amount for the project.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) commenced daytime medical retrievals from the Texas airstrip in August last year. The RFDS inspected the airstrip and approved it for operations but suggested the proposed upgrades to bring the Texas airstrip to a suitable standard.
Six emergency evacuations were completed at the Texas airstrip in 2017 since the inspection in August. One evacuation was severely disrupted in November when the RFDS aircraft became bogged - highlighting the urgency of the upgrades. Council prioritised the suggested improvements to ensure the continuing operation of this vital service to the community.
The upgrades will include turning nodes at each end of the runway to improve the turning and taxiing of aircraft and a new entrance to improve access. This will also enable safer transfer of patients from road ambulance to aircraft. The work will be completed by Council Road Construction Crew and will include necessary earthworks, drainage, sealing and fencing.
The RAU program is part of the Australian Government's Regional Aviation Access Program (RAAP) and provides funding for upgrades to remote airstrips in isolated outback communities. The program’s key objective is to enhance the safety and accessibility of aerodromes in remote areas of Australia and to facilitate improved delivery of essential goods and services including health care.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the RAU funding will deliver better access and safety upgrades for remote community airstrips.
‘Connectivity is important for every community but none more so than remote towns and smaller communities across Australia which rely on good transport links to survive and thrive,’ Mr McCormack said.
‘These airstrip upgrades ensure continued access to essential, potentially lifesaving, health care as well as fresh food, mail services and access to employment and education opportunities.’
Mayor Graeme Scheu said, ‘Council is thrilled to learn of the Federal Government assistance. It is little things like this that means a lot to the lifestyle of people from Texas’.
For more information, please contact:
Councillor Graeme Scheu
Mayor
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Mobile: 0427 718 877
Email: gscheu@grc.qld.gov.au