THE Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) last week decided to allocate almost $170,000 of a Regional Airports Program grant to upgrade the Hamilton Airport in order to keep its level of certification current.

The Hamilton Aerodrome has non-compliance safety issues, specifically the 17/35 (North/South) Runway Extension Safety Areas (RESA).

Council secured funding to upgrade the runway to ensure the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Code 3 certification compliance.

Without the proposed works it is a possibility that Hamilton Aerodrome could be downgraded to Code 2 certification, or at worst the instrument approaches could be lost.

The airport has had several upgrades over the years, including a backup power generator that comes online automatically - instead of having to be manually started - being just one improvement.

In 2016, $5.2 million was spent lengthening the runway to 1700 metres, strengthening and resealing of the apron and taxiways and installing an LED lighting system.

The terminal was also improved and floodlighting of the apron, new office buildings, expansion of the car park and the installation of a Precision Approach Path Indicator System (PAPI) for landing approach guidance was also part of the investment.

The expense appeared validated in November that year as the airport was recognised nationally by winning Small Regional Aerodrome of the Year, awarded by the Australian Airports Association, which represented 260 large and small airports across the country.

However, despite the launch of a campaign by SGSC the following month to see the return of a regular passenger service (then already two years absent) and a pledge in February 2017 to purchase $15,000 worth of pre-paid tickets for an operator, six years later the airport has still not been part of any airline’s schedule.

Daily runway, apron and lighting inspections are not required while the airport does not have an operating airline, but certain levels of the facility still need to be maintained to remain at an acceptable standard.

Council became aware that the Hamilton Airport has non-compliance safety issues involving the 17/35 RESAs during the CASA airport certification process.

The runway requires a compliant RESA to be constructed at either end, including changes to some runway lights and line markings.

The RESA is the grassed area beyond the paved runway where the consequences are minimised of aircraft overrunning, under running or rejecting take-off.

These should consist of a relatively flat and well-maintained area at the same level as the runway.

A CASA compliant upgrade design was developed by an external consultant and tenders were received for the earthworks and line marking portion of the construction.

The recommendation from Council was to award Contract 51-22 to Walkers Earthmoving Pty Ltd for the Aerodrome Upgrade - Runway Emergency Safety Area (RESA) for the tendered lump sum price of $168,970 excluding GST.

To ensure the Hamilton Aerodrome runway complies, the northern end will require minor grading and rolling to break up soil clods, allowing the grass to be mowed.

The southern end will have its level lifted to match the runway height - this is expected to be done with material taken from site, forming a small dam.

The remaining works elements of this project include lighting hardware and alterations, and these have been procured through quotes.

The funding has been provided by the Australian Government via a successful grant application to Round 2 of the Regional Airports Program.

The grant is worth 100 per cent of the total expenditure, up to $263,000; the current allocated budget for the RESA project is $240,000, noting design costs have been met by the external funding.