This is all part of the CAsA policy of "SAFE SKIES ARE EMPTY SKIES".
Why would anyone think CAsA gives two hoots whether outback Australia has an air service or not. They are only required to consider safety.
One wonders why they only require 30 meters though. Obviously the wider the runway the safer it is, perhaps they should require runways to be as wide as they are long, just to be on the safe side!
Possibly a reason for our leadership(?) in aviation safety was the abundance in "all-over fields". Was it another ICAO mandate to abandon these for such narrow concrete tracks in the first place. Perhaps it was foresight on the part of our burorats to provide more development land for our impoverished airport head lease holders. Fortunately again by foresight at the expiry of the 99 year leases these sites will revert back to the Cwth and be available for use by G.A etc. we may have to leave some historical records to show future generations what G.A was. Considering that it only took CAsA some 20 years to loose the picture, imagine memories in 83 years time.
High speed rail to these remote settlements appears more realistic by the day!
"Empty skies are SAFE skies"