Ms ANDERSON - 2010-04-28
The community airstrip at Watiyawanu, or Mt Liebig, has been closed since Christmas 2009. Community staff and residents have been given an indefinite time line for its reopening. Meanwhile, patients requiring Flying Doctor evacuation must be transported more than 60 km over a rough road to Papunya airstrip, with only one nurse staffing the clinic. This is a logistical nightmare. If it is raining and the creek between Watiyawanu and Papunya comes up, it is impossible. How long will you continue to gamble with people’s lives? How many other airstrips on remote Northern Territory communities are currently closed? When will you repair and reopen the Mt Liebig airstrip?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Once again, thank you very much for the information from the bush. Airstrips are operated at all three levels of government. We have had some incredible weather in Central Australia, and right across the Northern Territory. I would suggest that any delays in earthmoving or civil construction work have been related to weather.
Member for Macdonnell, I do not like to put anyone’s life at risk. I spent more than two decades in the bush and I know exactly what you are talking about. I will, as we speak, contact the department to find out exactly those answers you need.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Once again, thank you very much for the information from the bush. Airstrips are operated at all three levels of government. We have had some incredible weather in Central Australia, and right across the Northern Territory. I would suggest that any delays in earthmoving or civil construction work have been related to weather.
Member for Macdonnell, I do not like to put anyone’s life at risk. I spent more than two decades in the bush and I know exactly what you are talking about. I will, as we speak, contact the department to find out exactly those answers you need.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016