Big win for Cloncurry as council secures $10 million for airport
Published on 23 October 2026
The peak body for Queensland councils has welcomed the Federal Government’s $10 million commitment to fund a permanent upgrade of the Cloncurry Airport runway.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today pledged the funds to Cloncurry Shire Council to go towards renewals and upgrades to runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting, drainage and electrical systems.
The funding win follows the Federal Government’s recent decision to retain its current disaster recovery funding contribution of up to 75 per cent, following a relentless advocacy campaign from Queensland councils.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Mayor Matt Burnett welcomed the federal funding as a huge win for the entire Cloncurry community.
“Mayor Greg Campbell has been a tireless advocate for this runway upgrade, which is now set to become a reality,” Mayor Burnett said.
“The upgrades that will now be progressed will support crucial aeromedical services, transit of workers in the critical minerals sector and general aviation operations.
“It shows what councils can achieve when they stand up for their communities through strong advocacy and a relentless focus on delivering for their communities.”
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith has also welcomed the runway upgrade along with the $24.5 million in funding for several local government areas under the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, also announced today.
The funding will support initiatives such as levee rehabilitation in Cloncurry, a flood and river geomorphology study of the Proserpine River catchment, and a 125-metre-long armour rock revetment coastal sea wall on the Fraser Coast.
“This funding will be music to the ears of the successful councils and communities across the state,” Ms Smith said.
“It will allow these communities to invest in much needed river and coastal defences to keep their residents and communities safe.
“Today’s Federal Government announcements, along with its recent decision to retain its current disaster recovery funding contribution of up to 75 per cent, are very encouraging but there’s still more to be done.
“As the most disaster-prone State, Queensland councils need funding for larger betterment projects to keep their communities safe.
“This week councils from across the country met in Cairns for the LGAQ’s 130th Annual Conference and AGM where they voted in support of a motion calling on the Federal Government to ensure funding is available for larger, community protecting resilient infrastructure as well as for embedding betterment in recovery going forward.
“We continue to call on the Federal Government to ensure betterment funding is front and centre of its review of disaster funding.”
Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell said:
“This airport is a critical piece of infrastructure for the Cloncurry community, the North West and for local industry.
“In January this year this airport was closed for a number of weeks following catastrophic damage due to a year’s worth of rain over a few days.
“The Prime Minister visited at the time and announced funding to repair the strip and get the airport open again and while this was enough to get the urgent repairs done, it wasn’t enough to complete all the work that was required.
“However, the PM’s announcement today of this new funding is great news and will allow us to complete the project with confidence.
“I sincerely and wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Albanese and his government for their support, and also Senator Anthony Chisolm who has also been crucial to achieving this excellent outcome.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Martin Philip, Media Advisor
Phone: 0407 675 008
Local Government Association of Queensland