On Thursday, 18 September 2025, our team joined Transport for NSW and key emergency services for a Shannon’s Creek Training Day – a vital refresher on activating the Shannon’s Creek Airstrip on the Silver City Highway.
Located 45km north of Packsaddle (approximately 200km from Broken Hill), this highway is unique in NSW as it can serve as an emergency landing strip for RFDS aircraft, making it a true lifeline when every second counts.
The onsite session brought together representatives from Transport NSW, RFS, SES, community volunteers, and RFDS pilots Cameron Gibbs (Head of Flying Operations) and John Ivanac (new line pilot, Broken Hill).
The training focused on ensuring smooth coordination in the rare event an RFDS aircraft needs to land on the highway. Key topics included:
- Activation protocols for opening the runway
- Highway closure and reopening procedures
- Lighting requirements for night landings
- Safety measures when working around aircraft
- Lessons from previous activations
- Improving communication between stakeholders
The day was highly productive, reinforcing collaboration and readiness for scenarios where the Silver City Highway could become a critical lifeline for patients in need. This training highlights the strength of community resilience and teamwork – because when lives are on the line, preparation makes all the difference.
