Ms McCARTHY - 2005-08-16
Could you provide an update on election commitments made regarding airstrips in the electorate of Arnhem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Certainly, airstrips are very important for remote communities. Without digressing too far, I remember when I came to the Northern Territory 25 years ago and lived at Maningrida, we had a dirt strip which, particularly in the Wet, was cut off and quite isolated. I remember, quite often, we would hear the old DC3 droning around with the mail on board. Ironically, it was piloted by a Mr George Washington. However, that is probably another story. He was a very good pilot. The DC3 was a great pleasure to fly in and it served the communities well.
This government made a commitment to the Arnhem electorate that we would upgrade three airstrips – Minyerri, Bulman and Ramingining. Minyerri has been completed; it has been widened and extended. Bulman should be completed by the end of this calendar year. The Ramingining airstrip is going to be sealed and extended. It will be 18 m wide and approximately 1.4 km long. It will be up to CASA standards. Approximately $1.2m is being expended on that airstrip. I can inform the member for Arnhem that it is very near to completion now. There has been an eye to the future, with conduit being laid under the airstrip for future mains powered lighting.
I welcome the question by the member. There is a lot being done right across the Northern Territory regarding remote airstrips. It is very important and I look forward, possibly, to travelling with the member for Arnhem for the opening of the Ramingining airstrip.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Certainly, airstrips are very important for remote communities. Without digressing too far, I remember when I came to the Northern Territory 25 years ago and lived at Maningrida, we had a dirt strip which, particularly in the Wet, was cut off and quite isolated. I remember, quite often, we would hear the old DC3 droning around with the mail on board. Ironically, it was piloted by a Mr George Washington. However, that is probably another story. He was a very good pilot. The DC3 was a great pleasure to fly in and it served the communities well.
This government made a commitment to the Arnhem electorate that we would upgrade three airstrips – Minyerri, Bulman and Ramingining. Minyerri has been completed; it has been widened and extended. Bulman should be completed by the end of this calendar year. The Ramingining airstrip is going to be sealed and extended. It will be 18 m wide and approximately 1.4 km long. It will be up to CASA standards. Approximately $1.2m is being expended on that airstrip. I can inform the member for Arnhem that it is very near to completion now. There has been an eye to the future, with conduit being laid under the airstrip for future mains powered lighting.
I welcome the question by the member. There is a lot being done right across the Northern Territory regarding remote airstrips. It is very important and I look forward, possibly, to travelling with the member for Arnhem for the opening of the Ramingining airstrip.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016