Geraldton RFDS airport base to be up and running within two years, $7.5 million funding a ‘shortfall’

Geraldton’s highly anticipated Royal Flying Doctor Service base at the airport has been given the green light and is likely to be up and running within the next two years.

The City of Greater Geraldton revealed plans for a RFDS base in town were under way, with it to be located at the airport.

Previously announced in December last year, the State Government included $7.5 million in its mid-year budget review to set up the base in Geraldton.

The Cook Government said it allocated the money to the project to expand and relocate the RFDS’ Mid West operations from Meekatharra to Geraldton, after previously having no funding allocated to the project.

Earlier this week, city mayor Jerry Clune confirmed the city and RFDS had secured the boost for the project to support emergency medical services across the Mid West and Gascoyne.

“It’s certainly a really big project and it’s a benefit for the whole of Geraldton and the Mid West to have a base permanently planted right here in Geraldton at our airport,” he said.

“It just goes to emphasise how important regional airports are to the whole fabric of society and how we use them for essential services.”

Mr Clune said the RFDS already came to Geraldton on a regular basis, with it being one of its busiest destinations.

He said the project was incredibly important and positive for the city but did note the $7.5 million State Government allocation was not enough to cover the entirety of the project.

“The budget is quite a shortfall on what the whole amount will be required. To get that extra funding we will listen to the budget and hopefully will get some more money from that,” he said.

“If that fails, I’m not sure they will find a way to reach the shortfall. You would certainly hope there would be some philanthropists or someone willing to provide some funding so the services can be located here in town.”

Since the funding was first allocated late last year, the RFDS and city have been working together to identify an appropriate location.

Mr Clune said a location at the airport had been identified and services would begin at the end of this year, but RFDS said it expected the base to be operational in about two years.

“It has required a little bit of shuffling at the airport to accommodate them and we don’t want to get in the way of them being here and easily accessing the airport,” Mr Clune said.

“We are endeavouring to make it possible for them to get here and get established.”

An RFDS spokesperson said the organisation was appreciative the committed funding covers the costs of operating a base in Geraldton.

“Importantly, this funding will mean extra RFDS crews and 24/7 operations in the Mid West region, where 1866 patients were transferred from during 2025,” the spokesperson said.

“Geraldton is the RFDS’s busiest location for patient transfers and a local base will allow crews to respond more efficiently and support the growing demand at the Geraldton health campus.”