The runway was officially opened by Walgett Shire Council mayor Ian Woodcock OAM on Wednesday February 17 with residents, councillors, Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries,

representatives from the

Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS), Collarenebri Hospital and the Air Ambulance all in attendance.

MP Kevin Humphries congratulated Walgett Shire Council and community for contributed 50 per cent of the $250,000 project.

He said the remaining cost was met by the Federal Government through its Remote Aerodromes Safety Program.

“This is a wonderful development for the region and the sealing of the aerodrome will provide the local community with an all weather facility,” Mr Humphries said.

RFDS South Eastern Section executive director Clyde Thomson praised the commitment of all the parties involved.

“Collarenebri might be a small town in western NSW, but it is essential that its residents have access to our medical services regardless of the weather,” Mr Thomson said.

“We currently fly into Collarenebri about 25 times per year ... and the sealing of the strip will make the town much more accessible for our aircraft”.

Walgett Shire Council general manager Ray Kent said he was very excited by the project, which would help ease residents’ state of mind in times of emergency.

“The sealing of the aerodrome is particularly important for the Air Ambulance and Royal Flying Doctors Service and access to Collarenebri will now be a lot easier,” Mr Kent said.

“This project goes to show that no matter how small the community or the council, developments such as this are not out of our reach and I congratulate the Collarenebri community and Walgett Shire Council for your fundraising efforts and support,” Mr Humphries said.