The remote Northern Territory communities of Palumpa, Borroloola and Belyuen (Delissaville) will benefit from $650,000 in funding for vital airstrip upgrades under the Australian Government's Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian and Northern Territory governments had unlocked funding under the program to deliver much-needed upgrades to three remote airstrips in the territory, ensuring flights can continue to keep these communities connected.
"Remote airstrips provide critical access in our remote communities, including for life-saving emergency flights, urgent supplies and connecting people to regional centres for things such as appointments," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"By continuing to invest in these facilities we are delivering better access and safety for these remote airstrips and the communities they sustain."
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the projects would significantly improve the safety and accessibility of air services for these communities.
"This funding will see fencing work at Palumpa, runway re-sheet work at Belyuen and resealing work at Borroloola to ensure communities continue to have safe and reliable connections to vital air services," Assistant Minister Hogan said.
"I look forward to working with these communities to deliver these vital projects."
Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said the additional projects would support more jobs for Territorians and vastly improve remote community air services.
"Previous rounds of the program have already delivered a number of critical airstrip works across the Territory and I look forward to seeing these next upgrades get underway to support more local jobs for Territorians," Minister Lawler said.
"These projects help strengthen our remote communities by ensuring the availability of safe and reliable air services, which is needed now more than ever to stay connected and enable access to essential services."
Senator for Northern Territory Sam McMahon said this follows the announcement earlier in the month of $9 million for 45 projects, which included $2.3 million for projects in the Territory.
"Everyone who lives in a remote community knows just how important our local airstrips are to our way of life, so this funding is absolutely fantastic news for the territory," Senator McMahon said.
"This announcement builds on the momentum achieved by the recent completion of the Tennant Creek airstrip upgrade, a game-changing project that received $700,000 in Australian Government funding under a previous round of the program."
