Cloncurry Shire Council says it has confirmation the airline Inquiry will take place in Cloncurry on Thursday April 12 at 9am in the Community Precinct.
The inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities was called in November after heavy criticism of price-gouging and other poor practices of airlines on regional routes and it has received 163 submissions so far.
The inquiry looks into the social and economic impacts of air route supply and airfare pricing, different legal, regulatory, policy and pricing frameworks and practices, how airlines determine fare pricing, airport charges for landing and security fees, aircraft type and customer demand, pricing determination, subsidisation and equity of airfares, regulated routes and residents’ fares, airline competition, aircraft supply and breakdown and CASA charges.
Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell has been strongly lobbying Airlines and the Federal Government to address the disadvantage experienced by residents of Cloncurry Shire.
“First and foremost, it is not only good for our Shire, but for the North West, that an Airline Inquiry sitting will take place in Cloncurry. Without our consistent lobbying the whole region may have missed out,” Cr Campbell said.
“We are pleased Senator Barry O’Sullivan has acknowledged that the operation, regulation and funding of air services to rural, regional and remote communities needs to be thoroughly investigated.”
This follows confirmation that a Public Hearing will take place on Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill on Wednesday March 28 at 1.30pm in the Shire Hall.
“Our efforts as a community to lobby the State and Federal Ministers, to make them realise that Cloncurry is an important region with significant opportunity, has paid off,” Cr Campbell said.
“I encourage all landholders, large and small, to come and provide their submissions on the proposed Vegetation Management Bill at the Public Hearing.”
This hearing will be open to all members of the public, however those wishing to appear as a witness need to register on the Queensland Parliament website.
“We need to make our voices heard in Queensland Parliament that Legislation made for coastal Queensland is not the best way forward for the North West and Outback Queensland” the Mayor said.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
