State Government boosts funds to Shark Bay Airport

1/10/04
The Gallop Government has boosted its funding allocation to complete an upgrade of Shark Bay Airport by $18,200 bringing the total State Government contribution to $85,800.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced the additional funding, to install pilot-activated runway lights and a generator at the airport to power the lights.
"We originally committed to spend $67,600 on this project. However, after one of the other funding parties withdrew its financial support, we stepped in to make up the shortfall," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said the works were necessary to allow regular passenger and emergency services to use the airstrip 24-hours per day.
"Shark Bay is located in a growing tourism region and it is essential that services such as the Royal Flying Doctor have around-the-clock access," she said.
"The new lights will also allow future passenger services to land and take off at night, giving tourists more flexibility in their travels.
"Work on the upgrade will finish this week and once flight testing is completed in early October, aircraft will be able to use the airstrip 24-hours per day."
The Minister said the Shark Bay Airport upgrade was funded in the State Government's 2003-04 Regional Airports Development Scheme funding round, which allocated $2million towards 37 airport projects.
"This important scheme was due to expire in 2001 but was extended by the Gallop Government," she said.
"Since that time, $6million has been injected into 85 airport projects across the State.
"In the 2004-05 State Budget, we committed to a further four years of funding, making the total amount allocated over an eight-year period $14million."
Minister's office: 9213 6400