Mr WARREN - 2006-02-16
Many of our Territorians live in remote communities. Could you please advise the House what this government is doing about air transport infrastructure in our remote communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question because our remote communities rely on air transport, not only for the transport aspect, but also for air medical evacuations. I recall, when I first got into Cabinet, it was the former Minister for Local Government, Jack Ah Kit, who argued very strongly for government to have a program rolling out over, I think it was 5 years, to address issues to do with remote aerodromes and barge landings. He spoke very strongly about the reliance that remote communities have on this infrastructure and he also convinced Cabinet that there had been neglect of this infrastructure over many years by the previous government, and how important it was for this infrastructure to be upgraded.
What I will provide today is a snapshot of some of the things that are going on. There has been a whole range of projects that have already been completed, but I will try to be brief. We have been able to do this as a government with three budget surpluses and tight fiscal management.
This is how we were able to deliver these: record capital works infrastructure over the life that we have been in since 2001, and tight financial management.
And so we have been able to upgrade and maintain remote aerodromes: , Bulman aerodrome, for example, to all-weather operation; $645 000 on extending and sealing the runway including providing flood protection; a further $800 000 at Minyerri, upgrading it to all-weather capacity; and $1m on sealing Ramingining. It was my pleasure to go out with the new member for Arnhem, who is just as passionate about this infrastructure as her predecessor, to Ramingining last year. We were told just how difficult it was for air medical evacuations without all-weather capacity. People would have to be transported the 35-odd km out to the barge landing, transported by sea across to Milingimbi which is the next all-weather aerodrome, and flown into Darwin. Obviously, these works now make that a thing of the past, and thankfully so.
When we were in Community Cabinet in Central Australia recently, there was much discussion about the Alpurrurulam aerodrome. We are extending and widening the runway, upgrading the lighting system and signal area at a total cost of more than $1m. A week or so ago, Pigeon Hole was flooded, and unfortunately these works were not in place for that, but what we are doing at Pigeon Hole is providing all-weather capacity and an upgraded emergency runway lighting system and signal area at a total cost of $630 000.
These are very important projects. I know the member for Goyder asked the question - $96 000 worth of work at Belyuen aerodrome and that will be upgrade for suitable drainage and replacement of the emergency solar lighting.
There are employment opportunities created by this, with period contracts for local government councils.
Madam Speaker this is a government that has an eye for infrastructure throughout the Territory. We are spending record amounts and we are able to deliver that because we are good financial managers.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker. I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question because our remote communities rely on air transport, not only for the transport aspect, but also for air medical evacuations. I recall, when I first got into Cabinet, it was the former Minister for Local Government, Jack Ah Kit, who argued very strongly for government to have a program rolling out over, I think it was 5 years, to address issues to do with remote aerodromes and barge landings. He spoke very strongly about the reliance that remote communities have on this infrastructure and he also convinced Cabinet that there had been neglect of this infrastructure over many years by the previous government, and how important it was for this infrastructure to be upgraded.
What I will provide today is a snapshot of some of the things that are going on. There has been a whole range of projects that have already been completed, but I will try to be brief. We have been able to do this as a government with three budget surpluses and tight fiscal management.
This is how we were able to deliver these: record capital works infrastructure over the life that we have been in since 2001, and tight financial management.
And so we have been able to upgrade and maintain remote aerodromes: , Bulman aerodrome, for example, to all-weather operation; $645 000 on extending and sealing the runway including providing flood protection; a further $800 000 at Minyerri, upgrading it to all-weather capacity; and $1m on sealing Ramingining. It was my pleasure to go out with the new member for Arnhem, who is just as passionate about this infrastructure as her predecessor, to Ramingining last year. We were told just how difficult it was for air medical evacuations without all-weather capacity. People would have to be transported the 35-odd km out to the barge landing, transported by sea across to Milingimbi which is the next all-weather aerodrome, and flown into Darwin. Obviously, these works now make that a thing of the past, and thankfully so.
When we were in Community Cabinet in Central Australia recently, there was much discussion about the Alpurrurulam aerodrome. We are extending and widening the runway, upgrading the lighting system and signal area at a total cost of more than $1m. A week or so ago, Pigeon Hole was flooded, and unfortunately these works were not in place for that, but what we are doing at Pigeon Hole is providing all-weather capacity and an upgraded emergency runway lighting system and signal area at a total cost of $630 000.
These are very important projects. I know the member for Goyder asked the question - $96 000 worth of work at Belyuen aerodrome and that will be upgrade for suitable drainage and replacement of the emergency solar lighting.
There are employment opportunities created by this, with period contracts for local government councils.
Madam Speaker this is a government that has an eye for infrastructure throughout the Territory. We are spending record amounts and we are able to deliver that because we are good financial managers.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker. I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016