Landings will be smoother for eight towns across the Western Plains who are on the receiving end of funding to upgrade their remote airstrips. 

Bourke, Tottenham and Condobolin and five Walgett Shire Council communities will all see various upgrades including runway resurfacing, lighting systems and line marking as part of a federal funding program to improve safety. 

Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf said that both Tottenham and Condobolin airstrips are well overdue. 

“There’s lots of little cracks and grasses starting to come through…I know if we can get it redone it will certainly give us a bit of longevity and make it more attractive to people,” Cr Medcalf said. 



For Condobolin, where the airstrip is used for industry throughout the town, an unsafe airstrip isn’t an option.

While safety is the priority of the program, Cr Medcalf said the opportunity for tourism is a surprising benefit. 

“It’s amazing how many people just fly in for a cup of coffee and fly out…I think (the upgrades) will help with word of mouth when it comes to the tourism side of things,” he said. 

More importantly, access for the Rural Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is crucial.

“I think it’s pretty important that we’ve got a good airstrip in good condition because we want them to be able to come in 24 hours a day if necessary,” Cr Medcalf said. 

Runway resurfacing ensures air operators can land safely and without damaging their aircraft, while fencing prevents animals such as kangaroos from entering airstrips. 

New lighting allows aircraft to land at night, supporting emergency service flights, while drainage works prevent flooding or erosion of airstrip surfaces. 

Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jane Keir said that the shire will definitely benefit from the funds, but it concerned that the just over sixty thousand dollars won't go far across three airstrips.

"It's important that we have these airstrips, just in case of emergency," Cr Keir said.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm said that remote aerodromes are key to their communities and keeping Australians connected. 

“This supports quality of life in remote communities, helps remote businesses grow and thrive, and builds opportunity and economic growth across our regions,” Mr Chisholm said. 

The funding is a part of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, of which 55 remote airstrips around the country will receive upgrades.