THE ICONIC kangaroo looks fine on the livery of an aircraft - but the bounders can be a significant threat to safety on the Kempsey Airport tarmac.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
To that end, Kempsey Shire Council will receive more than a quarter of a million dollars to erect a wildlife exclusion fence at the facility.
Local Federal MP Pat Conaghan said the upgrade at the airport would improve safety for passengers.
Council will receive $260,857 under Round 2 of the Federal Government's Regional Airports Program. Across the nation, some $30 million in grants will enable upgrades at 89 regional airports.
"Kempsey Airport's grant will be used to construct a fauna exclusion fence around the runway and the airside area," Mr Conaghan said.
Debate about whether Kempsey Airport should be surrounded by a wildlife-proof fence has been long-running.
In 2013 Kempsey Shire Council voted to spend $150,000 of Regional Development Australia grant money on an airport fence.
The funding was subsequently withdrawn by the incoming Coalition Government under then PM Tony Abbott.
In February 2014 a single-engined Mooney aircraft flying from Port Macquarie struck an adult kangaroo on the runway as it landed - killing the animal and causing significant damage to the aircraft.
"Every dollar spent on local infrastructure is a dollar well spent and I look forward to working with the community to deliver this vital funding," Mr Conaghan said.
"The Kempsey Airport provides an essential link for our regional residents to the rest of Australia."
Mr Conaghan said the Federal Government has committed $100 million over four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23 to help owners of regional airports deliver upgrades to improve runway and taxiway pavements, install new lighting or fencing.
"These projects will improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers, the delivery of goods and services and better meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services, including supporting bushfire preparedness," he said.
Also making the news
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @macleayargus
- Follow us on Instagram: @macleayargus
