Northern Areas Council is in the process of completing a key upgrade at the at Sir Hubert Wilkins Aerodrome in Jamestown, which will improve aviation safety and help maintain reliable aeromedical access for Jamestown and surrounding communities. This has been made possible through a fifty percent total project contribution of just over $61,000 from the Federal Government through the Regional Airports Program, with Northern Areas Council providing the matching amount.
The upgrade includes improvements to the aerodrome’s pilot-activated runway lighting system, the installation of a new illuminated wind direction indicator and supporting airstrip lighting infrastructure. The works are important for local aviation users, visiting pilots, emergency services and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
For the Royal Flying Doctor Service, regional aerodromes such as Sir Hubert Wilkins Aerodrome are vital links in the emergency health network. Safe and reliable runway access can help reduce delays when seriously ill or injured patients need urgent medical transfer to higher level hospital care.
Jamestown’s aerodrome provides an important local access point for emergency aircraft servicing the town and surrounding Mid North communities, with more than fifty RFDS landings in Jamestown each year.
It follows the runway upgrade which was completed in 2022 at a cost of approximately $200,000, where Council sourced funding through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund.
“The aerodrome is a really important asset to the community, it’s used quite a lot by the Flying Doctor and during the warmer months by the CFS water bombers when required. We’re fortunate to have been able to source funding from the Federal Government to help with this upgrade, which will be very beneficial for everyone using the facility” said Northern Areas Council Mayor Keith Pluckrose.
For more information, please contact
Northern Areas Council
Mayor
Keith Pluckrose | 0418 844 935 |0428 452 199
Photo: From left Mayor Keith Pluckrose, Jodie Thompson (President, Jamestown & Districts RFDS Support Group) and Deputy Mayor Tom Malone