11/6/02
Western Australia's most northerly Aboriginal community at Kalumburu is to get a new airstrip.
Housing and Works Minister Tom Stephens said that for the remote community of 450 people, 600km west of Kununurra, air links were vital, both for supplies and medical purposes.
"There is no sealed road to Kalumburu and aircraft are the main form of transport in and out of the community," Mr Stephens said.
"The airstrip at this well-established community is prone to flooding in the Wet.
"That means that in the event of a medical emergency, there is simply no way out.
"This is further exacerbated by there being no lighting for night flights, so even in the dry season night landings are hazardous.
"One of its two runways has been closed for three years and the other is in poor condition.
"Tenders have been called for the complete upgrade of the airstrip, which will have a new gravel surface and improved drainage so that it will not be prone to flooding in the Wet.
"This will include installation of permanent electric lighting for night flights.
"The Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation, which has been running the community since 1981, will be encouraged to undertake some of the work with the contractor.
"The community is a participant in the State Government's Aboriginal Communities Strategic Investment Program (ACSIP), which aims to ensure it has access to essential municipal and administrative services the same as country towns.
"In conjunction with ATSIC funding, major upgrades have already been made to power, water and water waste systems and the community's roads have been sealed.
"The community is not in a position to fund major capital works, being further disadvantaged in this way by its isolation.
"Funding for this project is a joint effort, from the Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS), ATSIC and the ACSIP program.
"Interestingly, the Kalumburu airstrip has a historical significance as a World War II defence base, with Kalumburu Mission being under attack during the war along with Darwin and Broome.
"Nowadays the increase of adventure tourism is expected to see the airstrip increasingly used by tourist operators with, of course, the permission of the Aboriginal Corporation."
Minister's office: 9213 6500
