[Peetwo]

LGAQ sub 74; Sterlo Aviation Inquiry Final report; and AOPA YSBK update?? -   

Ref: https://auntypru.com/wp-content/uploads/...LGAQ-1.pdf

Ref: https://auntypru.com/wp-content/uploads/...signed.pdf (pg 92):

Support for airports

6.54 As noted in Chapter 3, the pandemic resulted in an unprecedented hit to the operations of Australia's major airports.

6.55 In response to COVID-19, the Australian Government introduced several measures intended to support airport operations, including the Domestic Airports Security Costs Support and ex-gratia land tax relief. Submitters largely welcomed this assistance. Both Queensland Airport Limited and the AAA argued that 'continuation of these programs for on-airport tenants would be useful'.62

6.56 However, participants were concerned that the majority of aviation support had been directed to airlines, rather than airports or other critical segments of the aviation supply chain. According to Queensland Airports, 'it is increasingly clear the Federal Government's support to the aviation industry during the pandemic has not adequately assisted airports'

6.57 The committee heard that Australian Government support 'was underwritten largely by airports absorbing their high fixed operating costs'.64 Councillor Rod Kendall from Wagga Wagga City Council, explained that revenue from aeronautical charges and other airport services are dependent on passenger numbers. He continued:

… the operational aspects of an airport have to continue whether or not air traffic is passing through that airport, and of course the income from that, particularly regular passenger transport, hasn't eventuated, largely, through COVID, and significant losses to those airports have occurred. because of it.65

6.58 Mr Peter Thomson, General Manager of Wagga Wagga City Council, advised that, as a result, Wagga Wagga Airport suffered a net loss of $1.083 million in 2020.66 The committee heard that the airport was in a particularly challenging situation. Current leasing arrangements have impeded Wagga Wagga City Council's ability to secure grant funding, make upgrades or improvements to the airport, and make the facility attractive to capital investment from the private sector.67

6.59 Airport representatives argued that government funding must be maintained until demand for travel recovers. Mr Rowe argued that recovery 'is still in its early stages and could take years', meaning 'funding support will continue to be required for an extended period'.68

6.60 Further, Mr Adrian Beresford-Wylie, Chief Executive of the Australian Local Government Association, argued more should be done 'for airports at a local level' as they 'are vital community assets'.69 He warned that council owned airports are going to 'face substantial costs going into the future, in terms of increasing operational costs'.70

6.61 The AAA identified a number of opportunities for the Australian Government to provide immediate and long-term support to the airport sector through an $835 million Airport Relief and Recovery Plan. It argued that 'an immediate focus
for airports must be on financial relief from government-mandated charges', while in the longer term 'a pathway to recovery must include strategic government investment in airports to make them economically, socially and environmentally sustainable'.71

6.62 The Government's Aviation Recovery Framework outlines a plan to 'reduce red tape and administrative burden, and promote greater flexibility for federally-leased airports as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic'. Specifically, the plan says the Government is working modernise regulations under the Airports Act 1996, which are 'due to sunset on 1 April 2024'.72

Finally via AOPA Oz on Facebook:

UPDATE ON THE DESTRUCTION OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE AT PRIVATISED AIRPORTS

AOPA Australia provides an update on the destruction of aviation infrastructure at Bankstown Airport YSSY, in Sydney NSW.

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AOPA Australia encourages everyone to share this video with your colleagues, friends and family, along with sending it directly to your local Member of Parliament and your State Senators.

Via FB - BM AOPA Oz CEO update - Department meeting:

UPDATE ON AOPA AUSTRALIA MEETING WITH JANET QUIGLEY, DEPTARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE - AIRPORTS

AOPA Australia met with Ms Janet Quigley, Second Deputy Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development on Friday 18th March, to discuss a range of serious issues developing at privatised airports nationwide.

In this video I share with you my thoughts and reflections on the meeting, along with detailing further actions by AOPA Australia in follow up.

Apologies for the sound quality, I’m going to get a proper wireless mic setup to ensure better audio!

And some comments:

Steve Curtis

I would suggest the people managing affairs with IA are performing very well as per their brief. Most of the leases on the affected airports are held by Financial Institutions, we have seen how ethical their behaviours are during the recent Royal Commission.

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David Young

Good work Ben. The Department of Infrastructure, and successive ministers, are clueless to the economic destruction they have allowed to happen at these airports (and GA) over the last 20 plus years. They are clueless when it comes to the value of GA to the economy, both directly and indirectly. Access to airports and airspace continue to be 2 of the biggest issues that confront GA. “Yes minister” comes to mind regularly when it comes to the safe guarding of GA as a necessary industry driving the economy by the Department of Infrastructure.

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Corne Grobbelaar

A point to discuss with these “infrastructure” people. PPP’s. Public private partnerships. Like toll roads. Can that “operator” start building apartments on the highway. Commercially that would be more viable too!

The answer I guess is no!

But for aviation, the rules are seemingly not the same.
Australia Fair… I guess it government aims to make the meaning a Merri-go-round.

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Simon McDermott

Has infrastructure visited Sunshine Coast airport ? They will be horribly shocked. Non aviation buildings are taking over all of the available space which was previously available to aviation. This has been done at the expense of the aviation industry

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Corne Grobbelaar

Her two IC, similarly useless, is on $320k since 2018.

All “managers”, but achieving nothing.

It makes me sick to the stomach.

What is the intent of an airport?

Are the operator live op to the intent of an airport.

One would believe if they earn this much, then they should at least have the capability to grasp that!

MTF...P2