General News
5 August, 2025
Richmond Aerodrome set for $20m upgrade
The new runway will allow for bigger planes and create more reliability during the wet season.
Richmond residents will need to make alternative air travel plans in 2026 after the council said it had secured enough funding to go ahead with the construction of a new and improved runway at the local aerodome.
Richmond Shire CEO Peter Bennett said the $20 million build would see the airport closed to commercial flights for about six months, with planning now in the works to try and organise a bus service to Hughenden for passengers, as well as an alternative plan for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in case of emergencies.
“There’s a private airstrip about 12km out of town that could be used, although it is a dirt runway,” the long-time CEO said.
“We’ll have those discussions with the RFDS – there’s still a bit of time to work through all of the logistics because the primary works won’t start until after the wet season.”
Once complete, the new runway will be longer and stronger than the existing strip, which has started to cause issues in the wet season.
The proposed project includes the following:
A 576-metre extension of the runway from 1524m to 2100m;
Strengthening of the existing runway to accommodate increased Fokker 100 traffic;
Construction of a new taxiway and parking for three Fokker 100 aircraft.
Maintaining the current 30m width of runway.
New stock proof fencing around the whole of the airport.
Mayor John Wharton said after speaking with miners in the area, Richmond Shire needed to build a runway that would accommodate jets with up to 100-seat capacity.
“In conjunction with Liberty Oil, there will also be Avgas and Jet A1 refuelling stations at the airport upon completion of the works,” he said.
“Preliminary site works will begin this year, with the bulk works scheduled after the wet season.
“Construction of the main strip is expected to take around six months.”
Cr Wharton said the funding came from far and wide for the major project.
“Queensland Reconstruction Authority provided $13,100,000 in funding from the Crucial Access Links Program, which is joint state and federal funding,” he said.
“Council also received funding through the state government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program worth $321,000 to help fund the new detailed design for the new strip.
“We also contributed $214,000 towards these plans and have contracted GHD Pty Ltd to conduct this work. These plans will be finalised by the end of September.
“The Department of Main Roads and Transport has allocated $2.5 million, while the Queensland Reconstruction Authority also provided $4,711,111 in funding from the North Queensland Resilience Program, which was left over money from the 2019 floods.”
The total funding received for the project is $20,311,111.
“I would like to thank Minister for Local Government and Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy for all her support over the years to get this project up,” Cr Wharton said.
“We also need to thank the staff from the QRA, including Jake Ellwood, Andrew Abbot, Jade Christensen and Chris McMurray, and also former Director-General Neil Scales from TMR.
“Thanks also to Rex Airlines and the Royal Flying Doctor for their letters of support and lobbying for this project.”