Deniliquin will get its airport runway extension.
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The NSW Government this week announced that $15 million in upgrades would be shared across the Deniliquin, White Cliffs and Bourke airports.
It will be funded under the Regional Development Trust.
While specifics of each project, including individual funding allocations, are yet to be revealed, Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said the upgrades across all three sites would include increasing runway lengths, widths and weight limits, meaning larger planes with bigger loads can be accommodated.
Taxiway, lighting and line markings will also be improved to increase visibility and safety for pilots.
Locals have been lobbying for a runway extension for a number of years, and it was a key element of a previous Edward River Council Growth Strategy.
But plans for the runway extension were shelved by ERC last year, most likely because of reports that applications for an additional $4 million in funding upgrades had been rejected.
Council used the $5.9 million it already had to upgrade the existing 1219m runway, which was officially opened in June this year.
Locals who have long championed for runway extensions at Deniliquin have celebrated the new funding announcement, saying the most significant benefit will be improved medical services to Deniliquin and district.
Russell Tait, who owns Wettenhall Air Services, said the medical benefits is the “most important thing”.
“It’s all very exciting,” Mr Tait said.
“We don’t know the nuts and bolts yet, but if we get at least $4 million of that $15 it would be great.
“We have to increase the Deniliquin Airport runway by a minimum of 300m, maybe up to 400m if possible.
“The number one reason is so the big air ambulance can land in and leave Deniliquin at all times of the year, and under most conditions.
“On hot days in particular, the jets on aircraft like that need more runway than we have to be able to get off the ground.
“And as we know, in an emergency every second counts.
“I would also love to see local contractors appointed to work on the project, so the funding flows further into the local economy.”
NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton agreed the investment in Deniliquin Airport would “save lives”.
“Right now, many air ambulances can’t use Deniliquin Airport because the runway is too short and not stable enough. This upgrade will change that,” Ms Dalton said.
“I have been lobbying the previous New South Wales Government about the dangerous situation in Deniliquin for a long time, so I commend the Minns Government for taking the community’s fears seriously.”
Mr Tait said the flow on benefits of the extended runway could also have long term benefits for Deniliquin’s economy.
“It provides opportunity we’ve not had as a district community,” he said.
“Aero tourism and fly away trips could be future options, and fly in fly out opportunities for workers on large developments, like all the renewable energy projects being considered for our region.
“It could also be a deciding factor for international artists invited to perform at the Deniliquin Ute Muster.
“At the moment the largest plane that can land at Deniliquin can hold 10 to 12 passengers.
“The Ute Muster’s international acts usually have 30 to 40-seaters, so right now they’re having to land at larger centres and then come by road.
“Having the ability for them to land at Deniliquin can only be a good thing.”
Ms Moriarty said the selection of the successful locations follows a statewide audit of regional airstrips, which included consultation with local government, the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Flying Doctor Service, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Ambulance and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
A scope of work for each of the three airstrips has been developed, but not yet revealed, with Ms Moriarty indicating work would start by mid-2025.
“Investing in our regional airstrips and aerodromes will help ensure rural and remote communities can continue to access the services they need, whether it’s health, emergency or business services, and especially in times of a critical incident when they are needed most,” she said.
“These upgrades are about making sure we are boosting service delivery to regional New South Wales and that we are building strong and resilient regional communities now and into the future.”
Senior journalist