The upgrade of the Bairnsdale Aerodrome was the most significant application for Black Summer Bushfire funding submitted by Council. As East Gippsland’s primary airport and key hub for Air Ambulance Victoria patient transfers, aerial firefighting and emergency response, this infrastructure upgrade is integral to continued operations as a key hub for emergency response and will increase the resilience of our disaster-impacted communities.

In addition to strengthening the airport’s role in emergency response, this upgrade will allow for potential commercial air service opportunities to provide regular scheduled flights to and from the area. This would be vitally important for the economic recovery of individuals and communities, many of which rely heavily on tourism and have faced massive economic losses following the bushfires and the resultant decrease in visitation. 

Objective and scope

The project works include -

• earthworks and pavement work to lengthen, strengthen, and widen the runway from 1,101m x 18m to 1,600m x 30m.
• associated drainage works.
• lighting upgrade and
• fencing.

The project does not include asphalting of the runway.

Consultation and community engagement

community updates of the project will be published in the tab below.

Funding

Funding is provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources - Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program. 

To read more about the Bairnsdale Airport, click on one of the links below - 

Please click on the Project Updates tab below to follow the progress of this project. Information will be updated regularly as it becomes available, if you would like to stay up to date, please subscribe.

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