Birdsville airport receives a runway upgrade

The Birdsville Airport runway will be resealed through the Queensland Government’s $495 million Royalties for the Regions program, ensuring access to critical services.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the government had committed $432,500 in a 50:50 funding partnership with Diamantina Shire Council to upgrade the runway, delivering on key election promises.

“The Birdsville Airport is a critical piece of transport infrastructure in far Western Queensland and provides access for medical services and an increasing number of fly-in fly-out resource exploration teams,” Mr Seeney said.

“These activities, coupled with weekly commercial flights, private visitor flights and use of the airport by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, require the runway to be in good condition.

“This funding demonstrates that only the LNP Government has a strong plan to support growth in regional Queensland. Labor only cared about the south-east corner of the State.

“In contrast Labor ignored the regions and still has no plan to improve funding and provide necessary infrastructure.

“Through Royalties for the Regions, the Birdsville Airport runway will be resurfaced to fill water pooling areas and upgrade the tarmac to ensure the airport remains open into the future.”

Diamantina Shire Council Mayor Geoffrey Moreton said he was pleased council’s Round 3 Royalties for the Regions application had been successful.

“Upgrading of the Birdsville runway ensures that the community, visitors and industry will continue to enjoy access to regular commercial flights and emergency medical support,” Mr Moreton said.

“Council appreciates that the Queensland Government recognises the vital importance of airport infrastructure in our remote area of the State which is pivotal to the continued sustainable development of our shire.”

Mr Seeney said this funding also delivered on the Queensland Government’s election promise to deliver better infrastructure.

“This project is an example of how Royalties for the Regions is directing the royalties earned by our resource sector back into critical infrastructure for Queensland’s regions,” he said.

“To date more than 39 councils across Queensland have received more than $250 million funding through the program, delivering more than 235 kilometres of road upgrades, community infrastructure and flood mitigation projects.”

[ENDS] 24 May 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744