FUTURE visitors to Lord Howe Island will have a smoother landing after a major upgrade of the airstrip was announced this week.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said additional funding for the resealing of the airport runway had been secured.
“Treasury will be providing 50 per cent of the funding for the runway reseal project of $4 million over two years, with the additional funding being sought from the Commonwealth and other sources,” Mrs Williams said.
“The runway is a critical link for the island, Port Macquarie and Sydney, as well as for the rest of the world and receives around 16,000 passengers a year.
“The runway surface has reached the end of its economic life.”
The runway was first sealed in 1974 and resealed in 1996.
“The latest resealing will ensure the continued operation of suitable passenger aircraft to Lord Howe Island into the future,” Mrs Williams said.
“In 2012 the Lord Howe Island Board prepared a detailed case for the resealing of the runway and installation of improved drainage.
“Planning for the reseal project will commence later this year and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.”
