EIGHT regional airports and aerodromes will receive upgrades as part of the state government’s Support Regional Aviation initiative.

The state government will contribute $887,833 towards upgrades at Renmark, Port Lincoln, Naracoorte, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Coober Pedy and Kimba.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mulligan said regional and remote airports and aerodromes were critical pieces of infrastructure for connecting country communities to other regions.

“They are vital for emergency and essential services and support the tourism, health, transport and business sectors of regional and remote communities,” he said.

The Support Regional Aviation initiative was established by the state government in 2016 and aims to improve the regulated regional airport and aerodrome network to conform to regulatory requirements and accommodate changing airline fleets as well as regional market growth.

Funding will go towards the following upgrades:

• Renmark Airport’s $1.08 million for runway and taxiway reseal and extension
• Port Lincoln Airport’s $225,000 for general aviation expansion
• Naracoorte Aerodrome Airport’s $120,000 general aviation expansion project
• Mount Gambier Airport’s $94,200 for constructing a sealed carpark
• Port Augusta’s $91,360 for perimeter fencing
• Whyalla Airport’s $72,570 for keypad entry for emergency services, aircraft tie-downs and replacement of sonic animal repellers
• Coober Pedy Airport’s $33,670 for generator installation
• Kimba Aerodrome’s $7000 for runway line marking