A $4.7 million upgrade to the Silver City Highway including an emergency landing airstrip at Shannons Creek has been completed.
The new airstrip will support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) by creating a safe landing space in the far west of NSW for medical emergencies and will be operational and safe to use 24 hours a day in all-weather conditions.
Residents living on properties in the area who had previously travelled up to two and a half hours to get to a hospital, will now be able to get to help faster.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay said the new airstrip was a safer and more reliable solution for the community than previous options.
“Previously the RFDS had to land on unsealed airstrips on isolated properties in places such as Packsaddle and Milparinka with property owners bearing the cost of maintaining the landing area,” Mr Gay said.
The completed upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s $30 million investment major sealing works on the Silver City Highway.