Critical $20m Flinders Airport request
June 5, 2024
By Rachel Williams
Flinders Island Council executives have flown to Canberra to highlight urgent upgrades required to keep the island’s antiquated airport facility operating safely.
Mayor Rachel Summers and General Manager Warren Groves said a replacement for the post-WWII infrastructure at the Whitemark Airport was “becoming critical”.
“We let the Federal ministers and shadow ministers know the difficulties and challenges we face and to tell them not to forget about us because we are taxpayers too,” Cr Summers said.
“We wanted to be forthright and upfront …the airport infrastructure is becoming critical,” Mr Groves said.
If a breakdown was to occur, flying at night would be stopped on safety grounds, with concerns being raised about access for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in emergencies.
“We are running at high risk,” Airport Operations Manager Richard Harley said. “We needed it done yesterday.”
“If we were to lose the cabling on the runway lighting we have no spare parts because they’re not being made anymore. We would have no night-time operations, so no RFDS for emergencies and they would have to send a helicopter which has complications.
“If there is low visibility during the day we wouldn’t be able to safely allow aircraft to operate without lights.”
Flinders Council needs $3 million for a full electrical upgrade to meet required standards, including a complete upgrade to all runway lighting.
Another $17 million is required for a full asphalt grooved overlay to reshape the main runway surface and realign the main apron and taxiway to meet the required standards, facilitating the introduction of larger aircraft to service the island.
Mr Harley said the Commonwealth
ran the 1955-built airport until it transferred ownership to the State Government in 1991, with Council handed control in 1992.
It has operated with multiple long-standing exemptions because it falls short of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards. The timeframe for leniency is soon to expire but Council doesn’t have the funds to complete the required works.
Currently aircraft under 10tonne are allowed to land, with some aircraft up to 20tonne given occasional approval. The proposed works would give maximum capacity of 45tonne, allowing for a 70-seat aircraft to service the island.
Cr Summers said Council had just discovered that an upcoming 100 per cent funded grant they planned to apply for was only available if the facility was owned and operated by the Aboriginal community.
It’s mounting a campaign for 100 per cent funding before the next Federal election, due by September next year.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King was contacted for comment.