New round of SA regional aviation grants now open

Friday, 15 March 2024

Regional public airports and aerodromes are being encouraged to apply for funding to upgrade infrastructure and improve safety and accessibility of the key community assets.

The South Australian Supporting Regional Aviation Program, now open, delivers grants of up to $150,000 for projects that improve regional airport infrastructure across the state.  

Projects in the 2024-25 round can include the following upgrades:

*     Sealing or resealing of runways, taxiways, and aprons.
*     Upgrading fencing, markers, and navigational aids.
*     Works that enable night operations such as power and lighting systems.
*     Extending and improving terminal facilities.

Now in its ninth year, the program also enables infrastructure works to be carried out to ensure airports and aerodromes comply with regulatory requirements or meet operational needs of aviation emergency service providers.

Six projects were awarded grants in the previous funding round, including Lucindale Airstrip, Lock Aerodrome, Ceduna Aerodrome, Wudinna Aerodrome, Port Lincoln Airport and Port Augusta Airport.

Upgrades already delivered include an improved Country Fire Service airbase at Lucindale to help the CFS respond to bushfire threats in the Limestone Coast and a resealed runway at Ceduna as part of required maintenance works.

Applications for this year’s program and submission guidelines can be found at dit.sa.gov.au/regional_aviation_funding.

Owners of existing publicly owned airports and aerodromes in regional South Australia are eligible to apply, and projects must be capable of completion by 30 June 2025.

Applications close on Friday, 22 March 2024.