A March report to Campaspe Shire Council detailing a $2.1 million shortfall for works at the Echuca Aerodome could impact the use of the McKenzie Rd facility by air ambulances.
The report, titled Lifesaving Aerodrome Upgrades, details the $4.1 million required in order to maintain access to the air ambulance service for Campaspe Shire residents.
It also explains council has already spent $275,000 for detailed design and committed a total of $1.9 million to the project, split across two financial years.
Echuca Aero Club’s David Wearne said his group had received a copy of the document a month ago, but it was a subject beyond their reach — and control.
He said the proposed extension to the runway was required for new, larger aircraft being operated by Ambulance Victoria.
“I understand they are in the process of changing over to the new air ambulances, which are much larger and heavier aircraft,” Mr Wearne said.
He said the air ambulance averaged twice daily visits, sometimes more, and was by far the greatest user of the shire-owned facility.
“They use Echuca regularly, catering for sick people who need emergency care,” Mr Wearne said.
“The air ambulance is by far the single greatest user of the facility.
“They have the biggest, and heaviest, aircraft at the aerodrome and would be the only one that would cause any damage to the facility.
“We haven’t had any input, but we didn’t expect to have. It is a shire issue.”
The nearest aerodromes to Echuca, that could cater for an air ambulance, are at Cohuna and Shepparton.
“They are the only places they could land at night,” Mr Wearne said.
Echuca’s geographical position in the centre of those two facilities means the best available care is only a half an hour or so away, by air.
Mr Wearne said the discussion had become more prominent as Air Ambulance updated its aircraft.
“The aircraft they have now have no problems landing and taking off. The new aircraft has a higher weight-carrying capacity and needs an upgraded surface,” he said.
“The current facilities are perfectly adequate for every plane that comes to the aerodrome.”
Echuca aerodrome did not receive an allocation in the latest round of federal funding for regional airports.
Mr Wearne said he believed there was a pool of $60 million available during that process.
“We have probably the worst aerodrome facilities in the elecorate, appearance wise and status wise,” he said.
“But we do have lights and all-weather capability, along with two satisfactory areas for helicopters to land.”
The size of the Echuca Regional Health facility means the ambulance helicopter is also at Echuca on a regular basis.
The report details a reconfiguration to allow more planes to land and take off.
It explains without these upgrades the new Air Ambulance Victoria and the Royal Flying Doctor Service would not be able to access the facility, denying the community access to critical life-changing medical treatment.