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East Kimberley’s Balgo runway in line for revamp thanks to $250,000 Federal Government boost

The Kimberley Echo
Filer pictures of Balgo community in the Kimberley.
Camera IconFiler pictures of Balgo community in the Kimberley. Credit: Sharon Smith The West Australian. 27 Dec 2009.

The East Kimberley’s Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation has been granted $250,000 to revamp the Balgo Hill runway.

WAC was one of 46 successful recipients in the latest round of the Federal Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade program announced last Monday, which will see $8 million spent across the country to improve air access and enhance the safety of remote airstrips.

The Balgo community, about 260km south of Halls Creek, was one of WA’s biggest winners with the allocation of $248,000 to lay fresh gravel, seal and paint its tarmac, paint new line markings and a install a pilot activated lighting system.

It comes after the airport - used for medical evacuations, public transport and deliveries - received a $427,000 State Government grant to replace runway lighting in January.

Member for Durack Melissa Price said the upgrades would provide communities like Balgo Hill access to safe and compliant certified runways.

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"The upgrades to things like airstrip lighting and fencing are important for providing safe landing and departure for aircraft,” Ms Price said. “The air service facilities are essential to many Durack communities for maintaining medical requirements as well as access to goods and services, like mail and food.”

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