Image: Cleve Aerodrome. Image credit: Flightsim
Two vital regional aerodromes on South Australia’s West Coast are about to receive significant safety upgrades, with new funding set to strengthen emergency access, support local industry, and ensure more reliable aviation services for remote communities. Elliston Aerodrome and Cleve Aerodrome Airport will share in $360,000 under the latest round of the South Australian Supporting Regional Aviation Program, which continues to play an important role in keeping regional skies safe and connected.
Both aerodromes are essential gateways for emergency medical retrievals and aeromedical care, while also supporting agricultural operations and broader transport needs across the Eyre Peninsula. The program, now in its tenth year, has delivered more than $4 million across 60 projects to help regional airports meet regulatory standards, build resilience, and enhance safety for all users.
The District Council of Cleve has secured $60,000 to re-sheet the gravel runway and access road at Cleve Aerodrome Airport. The upgrade will improve the runway’s structural integrity and ensure the airport can operate safely in all weather conditions, offering more reliable year-round access for local communities and emergency services.
Meanwhile, a $300,000 grant will enable the District Council of Elliston to undertake major works to the runway, apron and taxiway at Elliston Aerodrome. The site has reached an age where upgrades are essential to protect long-term viability and ensure the aerodrome continues to serve as a lifeline for residents in urgent or remote situations.
Department for Infrastructure and Transport Chief Executive Jon Whelan said South Australia’s vast network of aerodromes plays a crucial role in regional life. “There are more than 270 aerodromes and airports across South Australia and they all fulfil a vital role in local communities. Through the South Australian Supporting Regional Aviation Program, we are ensuring these key infrastructure assets can continue to deliver better, safer, and more reliable access to aviation services, now and in the future,” he said. “We are proud of the role this program is playing in opening up opportunities through improved air services in often isolated communities.”
SAAS MedSTAR’s Divisional Clinical Director Dr Andrew Pearce highlighted the importance of the upgrades for emergency response. “South Australia’s regional aerodromes and airports are pivotal to the delivery of rapid life-saving emergency aeromedical care, medical retrieval services, and the transfer of patients from rural centres to tertiary hospitals in Adelaide,” he said. “The critical safety works at Elliston Aerodrome and Cleve Aerodrome Airport will help ensure that in a medical emergency, patients on the Eyre Peninsula are able to get to the right care for their clinical conditions quicker.”
District Council of Elliston Director of Essential Services and Assets, Luke Moane, said the funding would make a meaningful difference for locals. “This is an excellent outcome for the Elliston community. The resealing works will enhance safety for all aerodrome users and ensure continued access for critical services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Angel Flight, providing peace of mind for residents in emergency and medical situations,” he said. “The upgrades will also drive economic activity through improved transport connections and support our vital agricultural industries.”
Applications for the next round of grants will open in early 2026, with eligible regional airport owners encouraged to plan projects for completion by June 2027.
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