It's not an exaggeration to say that remote air strips can be a lifesaver.

In cases of emergencies, a medical air flight retrieval by the Royal Flying Doctor Service is the only way to get appropriate medical care, so it's timely that applications for the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program are now being sought.

According to Ruth Stewart, Adjunct Professor National Rural Health Commissioner in 2022's Best for the Bush Report, prepared for the RFDS, people in the most remote parts of our country are dying up to 19 years younger than those in our cities.

"While most in our cities can access health services within minutes, over 44,000 people in remote and very remote Australia do not have any access to a primary healthcare service within a 60-minute drive time," she said.

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said he has recently been contacted by local councils and private airstrip operators enquiring about the next round of funding and has welcomed the news that the funding round is now open.

“The accessibility of towns in regional areas to travellers, health personnel, business people and other professionals can greatly impact a town’s socio-economic potential, which is why a quality airstrip is so crucial," Mr Coulton said.

The last round of funding was delivered in 2022 and enabled $700,000 of upgrades to remote airstrips.

Bourke airport was among those receiving funding in the last round.

Among local areas receiving funds in that round were Bourke Shire Council who resealed the runway of their local strip for a cost of $330,000 and $179,602 went to Lachlan Shire Council to reseal airside movement areas including runway, taxiways and aprons as well as re-marking lines at Condobolin. The Tottenham runway, taxi-way and apron was also resealed and lines remarked.

In Walgett Shire LGA, $64,800 helped make safety improvements including line-marking runways, upgrading of power supply, fuse boxes and backup emergency lighting systems at airports in Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri, Burren Junction, and Carinda.

Applications for Round 10 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program can be lodged by local governments and owner and/or operators of an existing aerodrome in remote areas, with applications closing on 15 December 2023.

For more information about the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program and to apply for Round 10, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/remote-airstrip-upgrade-program-round-10