Burketown Airport flies high with major resilience upgrade

Burketown Airport has officially reopened following $24.4 million in reconstruction and resilience works, restoring a critical transport link for the remote Gulf community.

When monsoonal floods cut every road in and out of Burketown, sometimes for months at a time, the airstrip becomes a lifeline for Burke Shire residents. 

The 2022–23 disaster season left the airport badly damaged, and the rebuild was designed to keep it open the next time the water rises.

The main runway has been rebuilt and raised 400mm, lifting it above both the 2023 flood level and the site's historical maximum flood level. 

New pavement uses a triple blend of lime, cement and fly ash for added strength, while upgrades to airfield lighting, drainage and service roads complete the package.

Delivered by Burke Shire Council with Durack Civil and Northlane Consulting Engineers, the project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with additional investment from council. 

The resilience upgrades were supported through the DRFA’s Betterment fund, which rebuilds damaged public assets to a stronger standard.

The result is more than a repair job. A more flood-resilient airport means safer access for emergency and medical services, regular public transport, and supplies and industry, particularly during the wet season.

The Burketown Airport was officially reopened at a ceremony attended by Queensland’s Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy on Tuesday 10 November 2026 alongside the CEO of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Maj-Gen Jake Ellwood (ret’d) and Burke Shire Mayor Cr Ernie Camp.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service and Savannah Aviation charter flights began using sections of the new runway in September and Rex Airlines will resume commercial services from Monday 16 November.