Regional aviation focus

The Federal Government will develop a comprehensive Regional Aviation Policy statement in partnership with airlines, regional airports and their local council owners, state and territory governments and local communities to grow regional Australia, the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack told the Regional Aviation Association of Australia National Convention on the Gold Coast on Monday night.

“Affordable and accessible air services are crucial to connecting regional Australia for tourism, travel, business, health and education and it underpins our economic development and delivery of critical services,” Mr McCormack said.

“This policy statement will look at strategies to ensure regional aviation remains competitive and viable into the future and we will also be listening closely to the views of regional development and tourism organisations and businesses.”

Narrabri Shire Council mayor Cathy Redding welcomed the announcement that the Federal Government is bringing a new focus to issues around regional aviation.

“Narrabri Shire Council has overseen the major $10 million upgrade of Narrabri Airport in recent years, significantly lifting its capabilities and capacity in keeping with council’s vision for the future of the growing shire,” said the mayor.

The Shire Council’s 2018-19 Operational Plan has identified the airport as a target for further development.

The Operational Plan listed lobbying for a review of security to allow smaller jet services to operate from Narrabri Airport without the need for full security screening, actively seek new revenue streams to support Airport operations, review the Airport Master Plan, including the Terminal Precinct and Concept Plan, and investigate industrial land in the airport precinct.

Council voted in December 2018 to adopt an Airport Master Plan covering the terminal precinct and terminal layout that will be used for future funding applications to improve the airport.

The plans include a new terminal capable of serving increasing passenger numbers, an expanded hangar precinct for large aircraft and business activities, multiple small hanger lots, a new 300 space car park and an integrated passenger pick up and drop off zone.

Director of Corporate Services Lindsay Mason told the December 2018 meeting that the airport was the ‘gateway to our community.’

“We’ve got a substandard old terminal so at some time in the future we will need to update,” Mr Mason said. “Car parking at the moment is limited and confusing” he added.

“We need to have a dedicated area for aircraft hangarage to encourage more business at the airport from a general aviation point of view.”

Mr Mason said getting the plans approved was essential for funding.

“If you don’t have a plan and are shovel ready, then funding bodies aren’t going to look at you,” Mr Mason said.

“We have a building ready to go if we need to build it.”

The statement announced by the Deputy Prime Minister will cover regional airports and airlines as enablers of social and economic development in country Australia, the role of governments and local governments and the impact of regulatory and operational costs on airports and airlines.

It will also examine opportunities for further investment in regional aviation activities including new technologies, recreational aviation, pilot training and agriculture-related aerial work.