Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I stand here today very happy to support the $884,000 in funding that has been provided to the Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island communities by the government through the Regional Aviation Access Program. The funding for these two projects in my electorate of Bass is very welcome and will allow for much-needed improvements to an airfield that is critical to the wellbeing of the Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island communities. On Flinders Island, $786,000 will be used to upgrade the runway at Whitemark, while on nearby Cape Barren Island $98,000 will be applied to the construction of a wallaby-proof fence around the airstrip, thereby improving safety.

The upgrade to Flinders Island airport, which is owned and operated by the Flinders Island Council, will ensure greater certainty for its regular public transport services to the Launceston and Essendon Airports. But it is also welcome news for emergency services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service, charter, freight, mail, private and recreational aircraft.

The residents of these two remote communities have to contend with many disadvantages, but this funding is another example of the coalition's commitment to invest in the infrastructure of regional and remote communities and to improve the lives and opportunities of Australians, no matter where they live.

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