Avlite Systems News
27th November 2009
Avlite lights up Remote Airfields in Bourke, NSW, Australia
The Bourke Shire were very impressed with the Avlite Solar Lighting System installed at Wanaaring and Louth Airstrips.
Generations of Australians have talked about the “back of Bourke” as the edge of the great unknown but the Bourke Shire is the 3rd largest in NSW and is located 780km north-west of Sydney. The shire covers an area of approximately 43,000 square kilometres and includes the towns of Louth, Wanaaring, Bourke and Yantabulla. Louth is located 100km south west of Bourke, down the Darling River and has a population of about 30. Wanaaring’s population consists of 20 people, Bourke approximately 2500 and Yantabulla is home to 2 people, 3 street light and 4 dogs.
Historically, Bourke and other towns along the Darling River, became important trading centres and transportation hubs, and were a vital link between agriculture in the west and the larger cities to the east.
Within the Bourke Shire there are two sealed and lit airstrips located at Wanaaring and Louth which were lit by early model solar powered lights that were turned on by the pilot via radio. In 2007 the Bourke council was given a dollar for dollar grant to upgrade the airstrips used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) which included the airstrips at Wanaaring and Louth.
The windsock at the Louth Airstrip was externally lit and was expensive to replace so Avlite were contacted by the shire and were able to modify the existing windsock to fit the Avlite lights for less than a quarter of the cost of the competitor.
“I am pleased to inform you that the windsock light we purchased and installed at Louth last July has not given one ounce of trouble since it was installed.”
- Les Harding, Services Technical Officer, Bourke Shire Council
To successfully light up remote airfields email Avlite today at sales@avlite.com or phone +61 (0)3 5977 6128.
