This week, Conan joined Mornings with Graeme Goodings on FIVEAA to talk about what’s happening in Outback SA

Graeme hosts one of Adelaide’s most listened-to morning programs, bringing live and local conversations to the state every weekday from 9 am to 12 pm. Our discussion focused on the current weather events and the realities facing remote communities like Andamooka, where aviation infrastructure can mean the difference between isolation and access.

Why Outback Airstrips Matter

We spoke about the importance of maintaining and sealing unsealed airstrips across regional Australia. For many remote communities, these strips are critical lifelines for:

  • Royal Flying Doctor Service access

  • Emergency services

  • Medical evacuations

  • Supply and community access

One of the key points raised during the interview was that airstrips don’t exist in isolation. Even if the runway itself is serviceable, communities still rely on the access roads that remain passable after rain and without access to plant and equipment, repairing damage after weather events can take much longer than it should.

The Impact of Cloudbursts in the Far North

Outback SA has recently experienced intense cloudbursts and heavy rainfall, creating sudden flooding and washouts across tracks and infrastructure. These short but powerful weather events can quickly damage:

  • Airstrip surfaces

  • Access roads

  • Drainage systems

  • Community infrastructure

Maintaining aviation access in these conditions requires rapid local response and the right equipment on the ground.

Listen here: Mornings with Graeme Goodings – 27 February 2026