SA island runway may get federal funds

A multimillion dollar runway extension at the Kangaroo Island airport may be the next infrastructure project in South Australia to get federal government assistance.

Premier Jay Weatherill has revealed he spoke with Prime Minister Tony Abbott about the proposal this week.

He says the state government regards it as a high priority and has already committed to covering half the cost.

Mr Abbott directed the SA premier to the federal government's regional airport's fund as a possible source of finance.

"He, like us, thinks it a worthy project but now we're waiting for a decision," Mr Weatherill said on Friday.

While in SA this week Mr Abbott nominated Adelaide as the primary site to build the Navy's next fleet of frigates, a decision that will sustain a shipbuilding workforce in Adelaide of about 2500 once the project starts in 2020.

The commonwealth has also agreed to help fund key road projects in Adelaide to provide more jobs.

At the time, Mr Weatherill said he had put a range of other projects in front of the PM and was hopeful of more good news from the commonwealth in the coming weeks and months.