Guidelines for the program are now available, giving airport owners and operators more information on eligibility. The $100 million over four years will support delivery of safer runways, taxiways and other safety upgrades. This program is aimed at helping regional airports meet the needs of communities and local industry now and into the future.

I encourage airport operators to check the guidelines and see whether the fund can help. Those who can identify a real need are urged to apply under Round 1 - open October 24-December 12, 2019. Guidelines and information at business.gov.au/assistance/regional-airports-program or call 13 28 46.

Help for farmers

Farmers can now see how the weather patterns and climate risks are changing in the region, thanks to the Regional Weather and Climate Guide by the Bureau of Meteorology, FarmLink and CSIRO.

The guide was developed as part of a $2.7 million project and is of one of many measures under our government's Drought Assistance Package.

Climate guides help farmers make sound business decisions by giving them the best possible data. They know the land like the back of their hands, and these guides will strengthen that by outlining the climate and weather risks, including the possibility of severe drought.

It will provide key information such as: * Variability of rainfall from season to season, year to year; * Typical timing of key events such as the autumn break; wet season onset, and the average date of first and last frost; * The likelihood, duration, severity and return period of climate extremes, such as drought, flood, heatwaves and cold spells.

This will help inform decisions such as whether to acquire fodder reserves, lease land in a range of climate zones, develop water storage and purchase loans or insurance.

More than 50 guides will be developed and released across the country by year's end. Visit: bom.gov.au/climate/climate-guides/