iscover
An airstrip in a remote Western Australian Aboriginal community has received vital upgrades with state and federal funding.
The airstrip in Balgo, located at the edge of the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts in the Kimberley region, received $3 million from the Federal Government and more than $3.65 million from the WA Government to boost safety and reliability.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“Improvement works included reconstruction of the runway, taxiway, and apron to improve drainage and address water pooling during the Kimberley wet season, and new solar powered lighting,” the state and federal governments said in a joint statement.
The airstrip provides vital access to medical and emergency care including from the RFDS, as well as subsidised Kununurra-Halls Creek-Balgo flights for Balgo and its neighbouring communities of Mulan and Billiluna (Mindibungu), said Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm.
“For communities like Balgo, a safe and reliable airstrip is essential infrastructure, ensuring residents can access health care, emergency services, and critical supplies,” he said.
“This upgrade will improve the resilience of the airstrip during the Kimberley wet season, supporting year-round connectivity for Balgo and surrounding communities.
“The Albanese Government is proud to partner with the Cook Government to invest in infrastructure that strengthens remote communities, improves access to essential services, and supports Closing the Gap outcomes.”
According to WA Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti, the Balgo upgrade follows works on the Bidyadanga Airstrip in August 2024.
“Remote airstrips play a vital role in ensuring communities can access essential services. These airstrips are lifelines during emergencies, enabling the movement of people, medical assistance, and critical supplies when they are needed most,” she said.
“The Cook Labor Government’s investment through the Aboriginal Community Airstrip Renewal Program is supporting better outcomes for remote communities as part of our commitment to delivering quality infrastructure across Western Australia.”
Works to reseal the runway, taxiway, and apron at the Kalumburu Airstrip are now expected to begin later this month, with further airstrip upgrades in the pipeline.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
