Council has already committed $2.4 million to the project and is hoping that the Federal Government comes to the party with the same amount.
State Nationals candidate for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and Senator Bridget McKenzie came to inspect the aerodrome site and learn about the proposed upgrades with Campaspe Shire Council interim chief executive officer Tim Tamlin and Campaspe Shire councillor Rob Amos.
The upgrades are essential for the aerodrome to maintain access to the Victorian Air Ambulance service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which are in the middle of transitioning their fleet to larger and heavier aircraft.
Mr Birrell said the runway, in its current state, would not be able to sustain the weight of these new aircraft.
“We are here today to inspect the aerodrome so that we can see for ourselves the work that needs to be done and then we can advocate for those changes,” Mr Birrell said.
In terms of the upgrades, the southern end of the runway will be extended by 150 metres (the length will only be extended to the south due to the position of a drain), runway lighting is to be upgraded with LED lighting, the existing runway is to be widened by a total of five metres and the runway is to be strengthened and reinforced in order to handle the weight of the Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft.
There will also be the addition of a new aeromedical shelter and a new helipad, and the terminal apron will be increased.
The project is expected to be completed in approximately four months and the main runway will need to be closed for the duration of the project.
The grass runway and other sections of the aerodrome will still be able to be used while the works are being undertaken.
Aerodrome manager Brendan Kneebone said the temporary closing of the main runway would be worth it for the end result.
“We welcome these vital upgrades at our aerodrome,” Mr Kneebone said.
“The last upgrade that was completed was about nine years ago and that was a partial upgrade to a section of the runway.”
While the aerodrome runway is closed for the works, Mr Kneebone said emergency services would need to co-ordinate emergency flights with Bendigo Airport or alternatively seek emergency road transport.
According to the Lifesaving Aerodrome Upgrades plan, the upgrade is expected to create 17 jobs and an estimated $1.763 million in direct value will be added to the region.
The plan indicated that medical flights in Echuca had increased over the past six years, from an average of one medical flight per week to the current two flights per day, swelling over peak holidays and over event weekends such as the Southern 80.
High residential growth in Campaspe has also contributed to Echuca Aerodrome becoming one of the top five places Air Ambulance Victoria visits annually.
Senator McKenzie, who is the Infrastructure, Regional Development and Transport Shadow Minister, said when you were far away from specialist health services, it was critical there was access to emergency services.
“People in the regions pay taxes and we deserve to have access to great healthcare and emergency services,” she said.
“Campaspe Shire has already put local ratepayers’ money on the table, they believe in this project, they believe it’s beneficial to the future in both a safety and economical aspect.
“Once you build this type of infrastructure, it won’t just be the Air Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service that use it — it’s an investment for the future.”
More details are to come as the project evolves.
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