The Shire of Kondinin is home to around 1,100 people and includes the towns of Kondinin, Hyden and Karlgarin, in the heart of WA’s Wheatbelt country.
While the town has a regional hospital and medical emergency services provided by the local volunteer St John Ambulance service, it relies heavily on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for the fast and efficient transfer of patients to the city for further specialist medical treatment.
When the condition of the local gravel Kondinin Airstrip began to impact emergency RFDS landings, the Shire turned to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s (DTMI) Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) grants for help funding an upgrade.
The Shire secured a $224,340 RADS grant for the $512,970 project to transform the airstrip, taxi and helicopter area from gravel to sealed asphalt, and covered the remaining costs in partnership with the Shire of Kulin.
“This project has made a significant impact on the safe and efficient transfer of critically ill patients to receive further medical treatment,” said Bruce Wright, the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Kondinin.
“Prior to these works, as little as 5-10mm of rainfall would affect the surface and make it unsafe to land, meaning patients would need to travel 132 kilometres by road to Narrogin or the nearest sealed airstrip at Bruce Rock, 93 kilometres away.”
The airstrip is also used by small private aircraft servicing the local agricultural and industrial sector, with the upgrade also improving the safety and efficiency of their operations.
Find out more about DTMI RADS grants at: Regional Airports Development Scheme | Transport WA
