KINGSTON AERODROME UPGRADE TO TAKE-OFF
MEDIA RELEASE - 4 AUGUST 2021
Photo - CEO Nat Traeger, Tony Pasin MP and Mayor Kay Rasheed pictured at the Kingston Aerodrome.
It’s a wing and a prayer no more for the Kingston Aerodrome, which is set to benefit from a $264k windfall courtesy of the Regional Airports Program Round 2.
The grant is a welcome announcement for the Council, who is battling a myriad of coastal infrastructure and climate change environmental issues.
Mayor Kay Rasheed said, “whilst our aerodrome might fly under the radar, it is vital infrastructure and needs to be maintained, along with many other assets, in a safe and useable condition”. “Given our small ratepayer base and limited revenue, conflicting priorities mean that capital upgrades on essential facilities at the Aerodrome are unable to be completed without funding support”.
The upgrade will see the replacement and upgrade of a new airport lighting control system and extension of the taxiway for a designated helicopter landing area.
The lighting upgrade will ensure the aerodrome can be navigated safely by all users, which is particularly important for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where nightly use and sometimes in less-than-ideal weather events is required.
“Our Aerodrome is the only sealed runway within 100kms of Kingston and provides a facility for emergency services, recreational fliers and some business operations” the Mayor said.
“The Kingston Memorial Hospital is the only hospital facility within 100kms of Kingston and is the closest medical service to the southern section of the notorious Coorong stretch of the Princes Highway along with other ‘black spots’ on the Southern Ports Highway and Princes Highway.”
Kingston is in a high bushfire risk area. In the summer of 2019/20, the district suffered the worst bushfire in the region since Ash Wednesday in 1983. The Kingston Aerodrome was used during the fire fighting operation by CFS water bombers and for aerial reconnaissance. Having a reliable and readily accessible landing surface, with access to water, was critical to this operation and will continue to be critical for provision of such services in the future.
Chief Executive Officer Nat Traeger said the Council is always looking for ways to raise its profile and boost visitation rates. “Not only is the Aerodrome used for emergency services, but it is also home to the Kingston SE Flying Club. The sealed runway and proximity to the Coorong and launching point from which to explore the Limestone Coast makes Kingston an attractive location for recreational fliers, in turn boosting tourism and the local economy in the town and local area” she said.
The Council anticipates the proposed improvements through the support of the Australian Government, which includes lighting upgrade, reseal of the taxiway and the development of a dedicated helicopter landing area will greatly improve the accessibility, safety, and reliability of the facility.
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Contact:
Nat Traeger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | KINGSTON DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 08 8767 2033 | E: ceo@kingstondc.sa.gov.au