The grants have been approved under the latest round of Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) funding.

A grant of $240,000 has been provided to the City of Albany to seal the second runway at Harry Riggs Regional Airport.

This is used during bad weather and when the area is experiencing crosswinds.

The City has already factored the additional funds it needs to compolete the runway sealing in its 2008/09 budget, with a total cost of about $460,000 expected.

Albany MLA Peter Watson said the provision of an additional sealed runway would provide safer and more reliable access in all weather conditions.

A further $10,000 had been allocated to Gnowangerup to upgrade the patient transfer facility, providing for smoother transfers between the facility and the Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said RADS was an example of the State Government’s commitment to building stronger regional communities by investing in essential infrastructure.

“Airports and airstrips are part of the life blood of regional communities – enabling emergency evacuations, the delivery of essential supplies and creating new opportunities in the development of tourism,” the Minister said.

“This latest round of RADS grants will see more than $2million committed to 19 airport development projects - valued at more than $4.5million - throughout regional WA.”

RADS funds up to 50 per cent of the cost of airport projects designed to develop airport infrastructure and enhance airport planning in regional areas.

Since 2001, more than $14.2million of RADS funding has been committed to regional aviation infrastructure projects.