A grant windfall for the Clare Valley Flying Group from both Federal and State Governments will provide the region with an all-weather, 24-hour landing facility.

Member for Frome Geoff Brock congratulated the State Liberal Government for honouring a commitment to contribute $395,629 towards this important project, which was more than matched by an Australian Government grant of $469,191 under the Building Better Regions Funding round announced this week.

“I received confirmation from State Treasurer Rob Lucas of the previous Government’s funding commitment to support the Clare Valley Flying Club’s application and am pleased the Flying Club can add to their excellent development.

“The project will enable commercial expansion and additional business, freight and tourism opportunities,” Mr Brock said.

“This has been a great journey for the dedicated committee. I was pleased to support them in 2010 with an initial State Government grant of $153,000 for the first stage of the aerodrome, which was so enthusiastically backed by the people and businesses of the Clare Valley with financial and in-kind contributions.”

Mr Brock paid tribute to founding Flying Group president Adrian Smith whose vision and dedication got the ball rolling and to the committee for their continual hard work in developing the aerodrome to its current high standard.

Mayor Allan Aughey OAM said every upgrade in the aerodrome’s facilities was a positive when it came to community safety.

As well as the obvious commercial outcomes resulting from improving the 1,220 metre long runway with compaction, resheeting and line marking together with the upgrade of lighting, Mayor Aughey said the availability for emergency use was of enormous community benefit.

“This will have implications during bushfires, floods or any unthinkable catastrophe and the upgrades will be of benefit to the whole Mid North of South Australia,” he said.