Shortfall for Echuca aerodrome upgrades could limit air ambulance access

A March report to Campaspe Shire Council in the Australian state of Victoria, has outlined a shortfall of A$2.1 million (US$1.6 million) for works at Echuca aerodrome, which could limit the site’s use by air ambulances.

The details of the report were published in the Shepparton News local newspaper. The report, called Lifesaving Aerodrome Upgrades, detailed a required budget of A$4.1 million needed to maintain access to air ambulance services for Campaspe Shire residents.

However, it also explained that despite the outlined budget required, the council has only committed to providing A$1.9 million of funding to the project, split over two financial years, alongside A$275,000 for detailed design work.

In the latest round of federal funding for regional airports, the aerodrome did not receive an allocation.

The report explained that without sufficient upgrades, new aircraft operated by Air Ambulance Victoria and the Royal Flying Doctor Service would not be able to access the facility, limiting access for the community to critical medical treatment.

The upgrades include the extension and reinforcement of the runway

Planned upgrades include a proposed extension to the runway to support the landing and take-off of larger fixed-wing aircraft, alongside an upgraded surface to support the weight of heavier aircraft.

“I understand they are in the process of changing over to the new air ambulances, which are much larger and heavier aircraft,” said David Wearne, Treasurer of the Echuca aerodrome’s Aero Club. “[Air ambulance providers] have the biggest, and heaviest, aircraft at the aerodrome and would be the only one that would cause any damage to the facility.”

Wearne added that the air ambulance averaged at least two daily visits and was by far the ‘single greatest user’ of the shire-owned facility.

Pel-Air signed a new A$300 million contract with the government of Victoria to operate fixed-wing air ambulance services on behalf of the state until 2036. The new contract includes the provision of four new Beechcraft King Air planes.