Flying high with funding

By Lachlan Ellis

A local aerodrome has been named one of 44 recipients of Federal Government funding, with a set of safety works made possible by the grant.

Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome has been provided close to $472,000 under Round 3 of the Government’s $100 million Regional Airports Program, with $27.9 million shared between this Round’s successful applicants.

The investment will fund runway and taxiway surface treatment works to runway 01/19 and taxiway, including the installation of a lighting system which will include Pilot Activated Lighting Control and an illuminated wind direction indicator.

Chair of Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome Management (BMAM), Trevor Oliver, said the upgrades would benefit both regular users of the Aerodrome, and emergency service personnel.

“It’ll improve the Aerodrome significantly by allowing us to have 24-hour access to it. The main reason is for commercial pilot training, but another significant thing is air ambulance services, firefighting services…it’s going to be an upgrade that will benefit the Moorabool community,” Mr Oliver told the Moorabool News.

“Particularly with the firefighting side of things, we have a helicopter base now. Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome is very strategically placed for places like Trentham, Blackwood, Mount Macedon, Brisbane Ranges and the You Yangs.”

Improvements at the site have been needed for years, Mr Oliver added.

“The upgrades are sorely needed, a lot of people can see that the Aerodrome is underutilised. It has 1500 metre runways which are very very long, they were Air Force built. The Aerodrome community is quite excited, the gliders are quite excited as the sunken lighting won’t interfere with them. I think it’ll be a great benefit for everybody,” he said.

Member for Hawke Sam Rae said the works would benefit both safety of users, and employment in Moorabool.

“This funding is a big win for our local community, improving safety and access at the site,” Mr Rae said.

“Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome is an important local asset, and these works will create jobs for workers across our region.”

BMAM is hoping to begin the taxiway and runway works when weather permits, likely in October to November. The lighting system will likely take “6 to 9 months to come to fruition, and then we’ll have to put it in”, Mr Oliver said.

For more information, including the list of successful projects, visit www.infrastructure,gov.au, and search ‘Regional Airports Program’.