Ichthys LNG Project funds helipad upgrade
The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) helipad has undergone a major upgrade thanks to the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project.
The $500,000 upgrade, which includes improved lighting and the helipad almost doubling in size, is a significant boost to RDH’s ability to support critical care in emergency response situations.
Speaking at the helipad upgrade launch, INPEX general manager Darwin Sean Kildare said the team was proud that it would benefit everyone in the Top End.
“The upgrade means the helipad can now accommodate larger helicopters, like ours, with night lighting improvements that allow for landings 24-hours per day, Mr Kildare said.
“The increased capacity means that everyone using the helipad benefits, including emergency services, other industry operations and the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.”
Ichthys Project deputy offshore director Antoine Moreau said the upgrade was initiated as part of important health and safety contingency planning for the Ichthys LNG Project.
“INPEX identified Royal Darwin Hospital as the primary hospital facility for MEDEVAC transfers of the Project’s offshore workers if they were ever faced with a serious medical situation,” Mr Moreau said.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles expressed his appreciation to the Ichthys LNG Project for the upgrade.
“INPEX and its Ichthys joint venture participants have again proven themselves to be good corporate citizens, by investing in this lifesaving infrastructure,” Mr Giles said.
“Construction of the Ichthys LNG Project is now at the half way point and is driving massive growth in the Territory economy.
“The upgraded helipad is a great community asset that will improve the medical services available to Territorians and I’d like to thank the Project for this investment in Northern Australia.”
The upgrade was fully funded by the Project with works managed by the Northern Territory Government, which included excavation, groundworks, concrete works, painting, electrical works, roadworks, landscaping and installation of a new windsock.
The upgraded helipad has been in use since April 2014.
RDH provides a broad range of services in all specialty areas to Darwin’s urban population as well as serving as a referral centre to the Top End of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South-East Asia. The Top End population serviced by the hospital is about 150,000.
