The Western Australian Government has announced a $8.9 million funding package for regional airports across the state.

 

The funding is comprised of $6.9 million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions scheme, with the remaining $2 million coming through the department of Transport’s Regional Airports Development Scheme.

 

“This year, 36 regional airports will share up to $8.9million for infrastructure upgrades, maintenance programs and infrastructure planning studies to provide improved air transport access for communities, safer emergency evacuations and greater tourism opportunities,” State Transport Minister Troy Buswell said.

 

The largest grant for the 2012-13 funding round was awarded to Fitzroy Crossing Airport ($1.8 million) to reconstruct the runway. This project is co-funded by the Federal Government’s Regional Aerodrome Upgrade Grant program.

 

Merredin Airport was awarded the second largest grant of $1 million to re-surface the runway and taxiway. These improvements will allow regular passenger transport flights to operate safely at Fitzroy Crossing and pilot training to continue at Merredin Airport.