One of NSW's most remote aerodromes at Tibooburra continues to be a shining light for outback communities following the installation of new solar lighting to provide 24-hour emergency access for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
"Tibooburra Aerodrome does a critical job serving rural residents in the far west of the state near the borders of NSW, Queensland and South Australia," NSW Upper House Member Sam Farraway said.
"The aerodrome is used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service as well as Police, Fire and Rescue, State Emergency Service, the Flying Padre, Australian Plague Locust Commission, Moomba Gas Pipeline, tourism operators and the district's residents."
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said more than $100,000 in recent upgrades supported by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands will support the aerodrome to continue its vital role.
"This has included new solar lighting that activates at dawn and dusk to provide safe emergency night landings, a new tilting wind mast to make windsock changes safer and easier, and new runway line markings", Mrs Pavey said.
"A vermin-proof fence, built about five years ago, keeps kangaroos and other animals out to keep landings safe although a 'roo run' is still done before each flight as a safety precaution to ensure none have slipped through unnoticed."
Tibooburra Aerodrome is located on a Crown reserve about 320 kilometres from Broken Hill near Cameron Corner where NSW connects with Queensland and South Australia.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service senior base pilot in Broken Hill, Shane Brook said: "The aerodrome allows us to do a weekly clinic run to provide GP, dental, mental health and other support to the local community as well as emergency evacuations due to illness or injury.
"When it rains, the aerodrome provides the only local sealed all-weather airstrip for plane landings and keeps the district accessible when flooded creeks block road access."
Tibooburra Health Service manager Vivienne Fazulla said: "We rely on the aerodrome for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to support our communities and bring medical supplies."
