Burketown flooded in 2023

A biblical-style flood engulfed Burketown, four hundred twenty kilometres north of Mount Isa, in 2023, severely damaging the community's airstrip and other infrastructure.

Nine months without flights

For nine months while construction was underway, the only way in or out of the region was by bus on unreliable dirt roads, with no commercially functioning airstrip.

Twenty-seven million upgrade

Queensland and federal governments funded a twenty-seven million dollar upgrade that raised the airstrip by four hundred millimetres. Commercial flights are expected to resume in mid-November.

Mayor wants relocation

Burke Shire Mayor Ernie Camp says the upgraded airstrip is an improvement but should be moved to a more flood-resistant location despite the investment.

“This essential asset supports the RFDS, Rex Airlines, local charter operators, general aviation and the glider pilots who visit each year.”

Planning for future growth

Although larger aircraft on Gulf routes could take years, Mayor Camp said planning for aviation trends in the next ten or fifteen years was important for the community.

Concerns about resilience

Mayor Camp said he was worried the new airstrip would not survive another weather event like 2023, though it was more resilient. The tarmac had been compromised by previous floods.

Alliance backs resilience push

Western Queensland Alliance of Councils Executive Director Greg Hoffman said the challenge was building sufficient resilience so communities do not face the same disasters in five or ten years.

“[WQAC] has been very … in our advocacy to the governments to say that there needs to be long-term plans that take into consideration these potential adverse impacts into the future.”

Federal and state responses

Queensland said the airstrip was crucial but did not respond on relocation. Federal government said decisions on airstrip location were for local council to consider.