Infrastructure upgrades have paved the way for safe air ambulance access to Cobden.
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A 701 square-metre taxiway has been sealed between the main airstrip at Cobden Aerodrome and the air ambulance transfer pad to the cost of $74,000.
Cobden Aerodrome committee chairman Duncan Morris said the two-stage project was much-needed.
"It was obvious it needed to be done," Mr Morris said.
"You've got to be very careful with a gravel strip, particularly with helicopters because the down-force blows the gravel up."
HEMS 4 base manager and pilot Dan Guillaumier said the infrastructure had made landing difficult.
"There wasn't a lot of room for us to land at the airfield without impacting other aircraft and buildings there," he said.
"Our normal operations will end up landing on football ovals or in paddocks. In winter you can't even get a car across them, let alone landing a seven-tonne helicopter on them."
The area will officially open on July 9.
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Jessica Greenan
Journalist at The Warrnambool Standard covering both Moyne Shire and Corangamite Shire Council. Sometimes court. Special interest in all things environment.
Journalist at The Warrnambool Standard covering both Moyne Shire and Corangamite Shire Council. Sometimes court. Special interest in all things environment.
