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Australia’s defence envoy has announced interest in a possible revitalisation of retired air base assets in Western Australia’s North Kimberley region.
Luke Gosling, special envoy for defence, veterans affairs and Northern Australia, recently travelled to Troughton Island and Mungalalu North Kimberley Airport in the region.
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The Troughton coral atoll features a 1,200-metre airstrip, while the Mungalalu North Kimberley Airport has a sealed airstrip, rooms, jet fuel storage, diesel storage, water storage, a nearby ranger station and an eco-lodge under construction.
“Airnorth charter Embraer 170s are the largest aircraft currently servicing the strip, although a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules (cargo plane) has landed there in the past,” he said.
“The strip could take other aircraft including fighters with some strengthening and lengthening of the runway.
“The airport is mainly used for helicopter operations to service the oil and gas industry offshore but also mining, aquaculture, tourism and a variety of government agencies who are utilising it to access the Kimberley area.
“Mungalalu is a great example of infrastructure that has multiple benefits for northern development. It supports First Nations tourism, supports industry and is an enabler of defence and border protection.”
On its website, Mungalulu North Kimberley Airport says it “provides significant efficiencies for aviation operations in the Kimberley and Timor Sea areas of northern Australia”.
“The airport can support narrow-body airline and charter traffic, making direct flights to and from state capitals a feasible option for oil and gas and other offshore operators, as well as enabling emergency support services to be provided to offshore operations and the ability to facilitate convenient visits by company executives to offshore facilities.
“It has all the equipment and facilities necessary to provide aviation logistic support to operations including coastal surveillance services, the oil and gas industry, pearling, aquaculture, fisheries, minerals exploration and mining, aerial surveys, defence, tourism and other operations requiring a support base in the Kimberley.”
Gosling also attended a ceremony to recognise 12 Australian military personnel who perished when a RAAF Liberator bomber crashed after lift-off on 20 May 1945.
