WHEATBELT SNAPSHOT SERIES: AVIATION

WHEATBELT SNAPSHOT SERIES: AVIATION

Version 1 – July 2014 Figure 1 Wheatbelt Region (WDC 2012)

OVERVIEW

The Wheatbelt region comprises an area of 154 862 square
kilometres, extending north to Dandaragan and Dalwallinu,
east to Yilgarn and Lake Grace and south to West Arthur.
The region comprises 43 local government authorities and in
excess of 100 communities.

There are more than 54 airports and airstrips in the
Wheatbelt. The quality of these facilities varies greatly but the
majority of strips meet a minimum standard suitable for Royal
Flying Doctor access. They are mostly owned, operated and
maintained by local government at considerable expense.
Although a large number of these facilities would be
underutilised, they present a solid infrastructure base on
which to further develop the aviation industry in the region.

Currently, Wheatbelt airstrips are used for a range of
purposes, including:

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1. Flight Training 3. Emergency Services
There are active aero clubs in Narrogin, Northam and Wagin, The Wheatbelt’s emergency service relies heavily on the
reflecting high levels of private aircraft ownership in some Royal Flying Doctor Service which uses a large number of
areas. Wheatbelt strips are generally surrounded by land strips across the region. Helipads at Narrogin and Northam
available for development of private hangars for storage of hospitals have allowed greater coverage by the emergency
aircraft at a relatively low cost. helicopter service, as has the refuelling facility at Ballidu.
Wheatbelt airstrips are also used when necessary for water
China Southern Flying College has been operating out of bombing operations.
Merredin airfield since the late 1990s, specialising in training
airline pilots from raw recruits with no flying experience to 4. Agricultural/spraying
multi-engine instrument rated jet first officers. The operation Traditionally there is a link between aviation and agriculture
is without doubt the most active commercial operation in the in the Wheatbelt. Dunn’s Aviation operates a large scale
Wheatbelt and provides flow-on benefits to the community. aerial agricultural spraying and water bombing business
based in Ballidu. In Northam, Northam Air Services provide
Wheatbelt airstrips are also utilised by Jandakot based pilot general aviation aircraft servicing and painting.
training providers within their circuits for navigational and
“touch & go” training. In addition to these main aviation activities, the military use
Wheatbelt airspace on a regular basis. The Pearce RAAF
2. Recreational/adventure Aviation base in Bullsbrook is located on the Wheatbelt boundary,
Recreational aviation is long established and very active in with Wheatbelt airspace and facilities being utilised for both
the Wheatbelt, particularly in the Avon sub region. Northam military and cadet training. The RAAF owns and operates an
is internationally recognised as a prime location for airfield in Gingin.
ballooning and many tourists come to the area for this
reason. York has a successful skydiving operation as well as Westonia’s airfield is home to many Unmanned Aerial
the White Gum Farm ultra-light and micro-light facility and Vehicles (UAV) companies. This airstrip is used regularly to
Cunderdin and Beverley have long established and active test new inventions and technologies.
gliding clubs.
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however. Skydive Jurien Bay was the 2012 winner of the
Best Regional Business in WA in the Telstra Australian
Business Awards. In Darkan, Hillman Farm Skydivers,
established in 1975, is the longest continuously running
skydiving club in Western Australia. Narrogin boasts both a
flying club and a gliding club.

ISSUES 2. Resources
Operators of regional airports, usually the local
1. Planning governments, are experiencing rising construction costs
The Wheatbelt, with its close proximity to controlled air which restrict their ability to upgrade airport infrastructure.
space, sparse population distribution and ideal topography Despite these difficulties, there has been significant private
and weather conditions, is well suited to the further and local government investment in aviation infrastructure
development of the aviation industry. in the region, in particular at Merredin (private), Cunderdin
and Wyalkatchem.
Despite this, in the development of the State Aviation
Strategy and the Draft State Planning Strategy, the region The Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) was
is not mentioned in relation to future planning and initiated by the Department of Transport in 1997 aimed at
development for the industry. Wheatbelt airstrips are improving airport infrastructure in regional Western
overlooked due to the fact that they do not cater for Australia. Since 2008, the program has been supported by
Regular Passenger Transport (RPT). Although private a combination of Department of Transport and Royalties
investors are beginning to understand the advantages of for Regions funding.
the region, a lack of government foresight and vision has
the potential to inhibit the industry’s growth. From 2008 to 2012, over 150 projects have received
RADS grants totalling more than $29 million, in support of
This lack of structure and planning is also evident within projects valued at $67m. Eligible projects include airport
the aviation industry itself. The Wheatbelt Aviation studies such as master plans, airside infrastructure,
Strategy Ministerial Taskforce Report (2010) terminal and grounds development and maintenance
recommended that external facilitation would be required projects.
to assist the industry in formulating a development plan
and in the process of collaboration and cooperation
between businesses seeking to capitalise on opportunities.

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Figure 2 RADS funding 2008 - 2011 Figure 3 RADS Funding for 2012-2013

Year Airport Project RADS Total Project Airport Project RADS
Contribution Cost contribution
2008 Cunderdin Develop an airport masterplan $15,000 Alan Mather Airport Resurface the runway $45,400
2008 Westonia Extend runway, construct turnaround, $87,000 $35,000 (Kellerberrin) $775,300
run-up and aircraft parking areas and $192,947 Cunderdin Upgrade the emergency water supply, additional taxiway
2008 Wongan Hills install markers and fencing $36,000 availability, additional pavement markings and research $31,800
2009 Cunderdin Reseal the runway $169,772 $100,476 Dumbleyung Aerodrome into the condition of the pavement $40,000
Grade the runway, survey approaches, $339,454 Resheet the runway and access roads and replace $15,000
2009 Wyalkatchem coat-spray the runway and install $1,800,000 Hyden Aerodrome damaged lighting $49,200
2010 Corrigin markers and markings to register the $81,570 $2,006,167 (Wave Rock) Construct a patient transfer station and ambulance bays $1,000,000
aerodrome $241,603 Koorda Airstrip $16,000
Design and build facilities including a $20,700 Seal the apron and install a patient transfer facility and a $75,500
terminal, runways, taxiways and aprons $33,923 $46,540 Kunnunopping Airstrip toilet
Increase the apron size, replace the $97,479 Merredin Airport Construct a patient transfer facility with shower and toilet $98,700
wind direction indicator, upgrade the $5,528 Narrogin Airport Resurface and remark the runway and the taxiway $43,000
apron lighting and construct a new $12,122 Northam Aerodrome Revise the master plan
patient transfer facility and helicopter $107,415 Construct long-term aircraft parking area, an apron and a
2010 Cunderdin landing site $291,540 Southern Cross helipad, widen the taxiway, reseal 500 square metres of
2010 Hyden Create a commercial aviation precinct $24,214 the runway, seal short-term parking area, provide
development plan $48,429 Aerodrome concrete and paint around the windsocks and fence the
2010 Kondinin Purchase and install runway lighting $30,748 parking area
and an illuminated wind direction $484,546 $47,355 Turquoise Coast Regional Sheet Runway 09/27
2010 Nudagong indicator $771,623
(Dalwallinu) Purchase and install animal proof $12,375 Airport (proposed) Commission a consultant
fencing and lockable security gates for $68,296 $24,750 to locate a suitable site for
2010 Varley entry and exit of the airport runway $411,000 $136,592 the proposed Turquoise Coast Regional Aerodrome
Resurface the runway, construct a $822,000
2010 Wagin taxiway apron, kangaroo proof fence However, the State Aviation Strategy Issues Paper (March
2010 Wyalkatchem and patient transfer facility 2012) found that there is a need for long term funding
Reconstruct the runway gravel surface, solutions in order to prevent deficiencies in the quality of
2011 Kondinin* drainage system, purchase new airport infrastructure constraining growth in regional WA
2011 Narambeen* markers and replace damaged markers communities. In particular, if the Wheatbelt was to realise
2011 Wagin* Create an airport masterplan its full potential as a flight training area, it would require
Complete the cross strip, construct a investment in advanced navigational aids such as an
taxiway and apron facility linking the Instrument Landing System (ILS).
main runway to the terminal building,
construct 130m of new drainage and
complete entry roads and car park
facilities
Extension and sealing of blast areas at
the north and south ends of the airstrip
Gravel resurfacing of the landing strip
and taxi area surfaces
Seal the east-west runway

• Actual RADS contribution and total cost not available at time of application

3. Aviation Training

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According to the International Air Transport Association Part of the impediment to development of aviation in the
(IATA) the global airline industry needs 3,000 more pilots Wheatbelt has been issues of land tenure, both at airstrips
each year than training schools currently provide.1 With a and surrounding land. The Wheatbelt Aviation Strategy
rapidly expanding international commercial fleet of planes, Ministerial Taskforce Report (2010) cites the case of
the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is Merredin, where the China Southern Flying School
predicting that more than 800,000 new pilots and development progressed when they were able to purchase
engineers will be required. WA will need to ensure that the airstrip, along with some surrounding land at minimal
there are adequate numbers of skilled pilots, flight crew cost.
and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.
SOLUTIONS
Being well endowed with basic aviation infrastructure, 1. Planning
Western Australia, and in particular the Wheatbelt with its
proximity to Perth and excellent flying conditions, has the The development of a policy framework and direction for
opportunity to become a training base for the aviation general aviation and pilot training in Western Australia
industry within Asia. Currently, however, the majority of would provide benefits for government, industry and
Australian training delivery is on the east coast, although communities in terms of investment decisions for the
some commercial pilots train within WA. future.

There is limited air space availability for training in the This planning could include:
Perth metropolitan region. To the north, military activity • Review of the Regional Airports Development
impacts on available airspace. Access to Perth Airport for Scheme (RADS) to ensure that future funding aligns
training is limited due to the growing number of with the outcomes of the State Aviation Strategy
commercial flights. Upgrading of regional aviation • Identification of potential locations in the Wheatbelt
infrastructure, in particular with regard to advanced which could be developed as a second general
navigational aids such as an ILS, is required in order to aviation airport and linked to the metropolitan region
take advantage of the opportunity to expand the flight by other public transport methods
training industry. • A State Aviation Strategy that explores the non
passenger opportunities in aviation
4. Land Tenure • The development of regional aviation plans,
providing opportunities for communities to
.1 Pearson, D. 2008, April 25. Global pilots shortage worsens. The implement local initiatives that fit into a regional
context and deliver industry development within the
Australian. region

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2. Resources Western Australia could also look to adopt a skills
The establishment of an additional ILS in the Wheatbelt development model similar to the one established by the
region would be beneficial for pilot training in Perth and the Queensland Government in Brisbane and Cairns. The
regions. This would ease the current pressure on Perth aviation skills training facilities provide training on general
and Jandakot airports. aircraft maintenance, cabin crew and regulatory and
licence training to standards required by the Civil Aviation
3. Aviation Training Safety Authority (CASA). This initiative has been extremely
Jandakot Airport, the state’s major training facility, is successful and the facilities are utilised by over 50 airlines
estimated to reach theoretical capacity in 2030. There are and aerospace companies such as Qantas, Boeing and
already reports of up to 20-30% of training time spent on regulatory agencies from a number of Asia-Pacific
the tarmac awaiting runway access. This congestion, with countries.
no alternative general aviation airport development, will
limit the growth and efficiency of the pilot training industry 4. Land Tenure
and other general aviation operations. The airfields at Wagin, Wongan Hills and Wyalkatchem
have land surrounding the strips which the Shires are keen
Development of alternative locations for general aviation to develop. There is interest in developing air-parks, with
such as pilot training could alleviate some of the pressure residential lots that include private hangars for residents.
on Jandakot. Encouraging pilot training operations to These are becoming popular lifestyle choices for private
utilise a structure similar to that of the China Southern WA pilots in the Eastern States and could benefit the towns by
Flying College where ab-initio students are trained at a attracting population.
regional location and only require the final stages of
training in the metropolitan setting may prove beneficial. 5. Airport Development
The Avon has recognised Cunderdin as the likely location
for any commercial activity involving large aircraft. There
are other airfields that may offer long term development
opportunities including Jurien Bay.

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APPENDIX Wheatbelt Aviation Facilities

Location Owner/Operator Shire Current Facilities

Ballidu No. of Length Sealed/Unsealed Lighting Fuel Naviation Other comments
strips Aids
Beacon Shire Wongan Ballidu 2 870m Unsealed–gravel Nil Nil
Bencubbin 760m NDB; VOR
Beverley Shire Mount Marshall 1 1500m Unsealed - gravel Nil Nil
Shire Mount Marshall 1 970m Unsealed-gravel Nil Nil Nil
Beverley – Shire Beverley 2 1250m Unsealed-gravel Nil Avgas available Nil
Westdale 1460m on weekends Nil
Burnlee Park Beverley 1 800m Avgas in
Bindoon – Unsealed Nil emergencies
(Chittering) Grassed gravel only
Nil
Bodallin Bindoon Chittering 1 750m Unsealed – brown Nil Nil Within restricted airspace;
gravel Nil permission required prior to
Brooklands Catholic Ag Nil use
(York) Nil Permission required prior to
Bruce Rock College Nil use
Nil Nil
Ceres Fields Ryan Pocock Yilgarn 1 900m Unsealed – natural Nil Nil Permission required prior to
brown and yellow Nil Nil Nil use
Cervantes Skydive Express York 2 900m sand
900m Unsealed – gravel Shell – on Nil
Corrigin 1200m consignment NDB
Shire Bruce Rock 2 820m 1 x sealed PAL – main runway Nil
Cunderdin 1050m 1 x unsealed Nil Nil Nil
Robert Sewell Wongan Ballidu 2 600m Unsealed – grass
Dale River 900m Nil
(Oralea) Shire Dandaragan 1 Unsealed gravel – Yes – emergency
Dalwallinu sealed ends and only Nil
(Nugadong Shire Corrigin 2 650m parking area
Siding) Shire Cunderdin 2 1000m Unsealed – gravel Electric – main Nil
Dowerin Wayne Noonan Beverley 1 1850m runway
Shire Dalwallinu 1 1520m Sealed bitumen PAL – main runway
Dumbleyung 1000m
Unsealed – sand, Nil
Goomalling 1200m gravel & grass PAL
(Springlea) Sealed bitumen
Harrismith
Shire Dowerin 1 1050m Unsealed – gravel Portable – Nil Nil Permission required prior to
Shire Dumbleyung 1 900m emergency only Nil use
Ross Sadler Goomalling 1 950m Unsealed – gravel & Electric Nil
Shire Wickepin 2 750m clay Nil Nil
Unsealed – gravel & Nil
grass Nil Permission required prior to
Unsealed – gravel, Nil use

Nil

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Highbury David Barret- Narrogin 2 900m earth Nil Nil Nil Permission required prior to
Hillman Farm Lennard West Arthur 1 850m Unsealed – grass Nil use
David Harrington 450m Nil- emergency Nil Permission required prior to
1 1200m Unsealed – gravel available on Nil use
1 weekends
Hyden (Town Shire Kondinin 1000m Unsealed – natural Nil Nil Only usable if mowed
Airstrip) Kondinin 1 grass Battery operated
Hyden (Wave D & S Collins 1 1400m Unsealed – gravel With prior notice Nil Unusable after rain.
Rock) Dandaragan 1 Permission required prior to
Shire Dalwallinu 1 1300m Sealed PAL On consignment Nil use
Jurien Bay Shire Kellerberrin 1 1200m Unsealed – gravel Nil Nil Nil
Kalannie Shire Kondinin 2 1000m Unsealed – gravel PAL Nil Nil Permission required prior to
Kellerberrin Yilgarn 1 with sealed apron use
Shire Koorda 1 1200m Unsealed - gravel PAL Nil Nil Private : Permission required
Kondinin Dumbleyung 1 prior to use
Portmans Kulin 1 1100m Unsealed – gravel Nil Nil Nil
Koolyanobbing Limited Trayning Airstrip becomes soft when
Shire Lake Grace 1300m Unsealed – earth Nil Nil Nil wet
Koorda 1100m Permission required prior to
Shire 900m Unsealed – dirt Nil Nil Nil use
Kukerin Shire 1080m Unsealed – gravel Nil Nil Nil
Kulin
Shire 1300m Sealed Electric Nil Nil
Kununoppin
Shire 1200m Unsealed – PAL Yes – 5 days Nil
Lake Grace compacted gravel – notice required
1000m sealed ends & Nil
Lake King Shire Lake Grace 2 1200m parking area PAL – main runway Yes – 5 days Nil
Merredin 2 1290m Unsealed – gravel & notice required Nil
Moora China Southern Merredin 2 900m dirt Yes – prior Nil Private
Mukinbudin Flying School Moora 2 900m Sealed – asphalt notice required Nil
Narambeen Wayne Vanzetti 2 540m Nil Private – courtesy call
Narrogin 2 1220m Unsealed – gravel Nil appreciated
Newdegate 2 910m Nil
Northam Shire Mukinbudin 1 670m Unsealed – gravel Nil
1050m
Northam Shire Narambeen 1 1240m Unsealed – grass, PAL Nil NDB
1500m gravel & sand PAL
Shire Narrogin 810m 1 x sealed Nil Yes, prior notice Nil
780m 1 x unsealed
950m Unsealed – gravel required

Shire Lake Grace 668m Yes, 5 days Nil

notice required

Northam Aero Northam Sealed PAL Northam Air Nil
Club
Services

(weekday only)

Dept of Defence Northam Unsealed – red Nil Nil Nil Only available to Defence
gravel
aircraft with the exception of

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Popanyinning Tim Haslam Cuballing 1 800m Unsealed – dirt & Nil Nil Nil emergencies
(Coogabbie) 1 grass Nil Nil Permission required prior to
Priarie View Prairie View Lake Grace 1 850m Unsealed – pasture Electric Mogas only Nil use
Station Station Quairading 2 Electric Nil Permission required prior to
Quairading Shire 2 1360m Unsealed – gravel PAL Nil NDB use
2 Nil Nil Permission required prior to
Rapanui Aubrey Fowler & Williams 2 1200m Unsealed – gravel Nil Nil Nil use
(Congelin) Co Yilgarn 2 1200m PAL Nil Permission required prior to
Southern Cross Shire 2 1320m Unsealed – gravel Nil Access to Shell Nil use
2 1405m standard PAL – main runway fuel Nil Permission required prior to
Tamma Grains Kim Packer Pingelly 3 900m Unsealed – natural PAL Nil Nil use
900m Permission required prior to
Varley Shire Kulin 1000m Unsealed – white Nil use
1100m dirt
Wagin Shire Wagin 1200m Unsealed – gravel Avgas & JetA1 Permissions required prior to
1000m with sealed ends use
Westonia Shire Westonia 800m Unsealed – natural Nil
1200m sand Project underway to seal 2nd
Wongan Hills Shire Wongan Ballidu 1235m 1 x sealed By prior strip to length > 1000m
750m 1 x unsealed arrangement
Wyalkatchem Shire Wyalkatchem 600m 1 x sealed Nil
1500m 2 x natural
550m

Ref: The Western Australian Country Airstrip Guide: 28th Edition

REFERENCES

Wheatbelt Aviation Strategy Ministerial Taskforce 2010, Final
Report, Western Australia

Department of Transport 2012, Western Australian State
Aviation Strategy Issues Paper, Perth, Western Australia

Wheatbelt Development Commission 2013, Wheatbelt
Regional Blueprint, Stage 1, Western Australia

www.transport.wa.gov.au/aviation

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