Horsham Rural City Council will apply for a Federal Government grant to help pay for a $535,000 lighting upgrade at Horsham Aerodrome.

Council will contribute $268,000 to the project and seek remaining funds from the government’s Regional Airports Program.

In infrastructure director John Martin’s report, he noted the runway edge lights at Horsham Aerodrome were ageing, and it was no longer possible to get spare parts as the model of lights being used was no longer in production. 

“Regulations regarding lighting are quite stringent, requiring a consistent pattern, colour and intensity for all lights on a runway, to ensure safe operations. It is not possible to swap individual lights to a different type,” he wrote.

“Staff have been very innovative in repairing damaged lights, and have been able to keep the lighting system going, but barely. 

“Further, the incandescent lights currently being used tend to be less reliable, often requiring staff to re-seat them in their holders as they can be impacted by atmospheric conditions.”

At last week’s council meeting, Cr Cameron McDonald moved the motion for council to endorse the submission of application for upgrading the lighting on the east-west runway at Horsham Aerodrome.

Cr McDonald said it was a very important safety upgrade for Horsham airport, which has not been upgraded since 2021.

“This is basically going to replace what is very old high-voltage cabling, which is presenting serious maintenance issues,” he said.

“This upgrade is also important for the medi-vac capability of the airstrip ... often it does require night-time operations.”

Cr Angela Munn said the aerodrome’s ageing lighting system meant replacement parts were scarce.

“It not only enables us to modernise the lighting system, it enables us to transition to LED lighting, which will lower energy consumption while, among other things, support safe operation of emergency and general aviation,” she said.

“This infrastructure update helps to ensure the aerodrome remains compliant, and I think it’s a project that is really well worth pursuing.”

Mr Martin reported the lights on the main, east-west runway were ‘quite old’ – their age is uncertain. 

“Lights on the secondary, north-south runway are still serviceable, as they were only installed when the runway was sealed in 2011,” his report read.

“It is proposed to install new LED runway edge lighting and conduits to replace the existing lighting, which is at the end of its life.”

Council’s 2026 State Election advocacy document identifies urgent upgrades that are required at Horsham Aerodrome, including apron strengthening and runway lighting.

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