[Peetwo]

From the Sunraysia Daily..

Airport’s future stays up in the air

Christopher Testa - ctesta@sunraysiadaily.com.au

26 Oct 2017, 9 p.m.

A CRISIS meeting failed to resolve an impasse between Mildura Airport Pty Ltd and the general aviation community over a contentious 20-year master plan yesterday.

Mildura councillors last night voted to hold off endorsing the controversial plan until December, with councillors instead endorsing a 28-day public submission period to allow Mildura’s frustrated general aviation operators to provide feedback.

General aviation businesses and representatives of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Aust­ralia (AOPA) met Mildura Airport chair ­Peter O’Donnell before the vote ­yesterday in a bid to secure a formal consultation process with the airport on the master plan.

and..

Pilots want airport input

Christopher Testa - ctesta@sunraysiadaily.com.au

1 Dec 2017, 3:30 a.m.

GENERAL aviation pilots based at Mildura Airport want to be given representation on the airport’s board.

Private pilots, aviation businesses and sporting clubs have had their say on a 20-year draft master plan for the airport’s future after Mildura councillors held off ratifying the contentious document.

The general aviation representatives have sent their feedback to the Mildura Airport Pty Ltd (MAPL) board, requesting an urgent review of management’s policy on the acquisition of hangar space and rental increases, a review of the proposed general aviation precinct and the relocation of the general aviation refuelling facility.

Good catch Cap'n - While on airports I note that AOPA are today on their way to Wagga to represent the interests of their members in the Wagga Council proposed landing and parking fees for the airport...

AOPA Benjamin Morgan‏ @aopaaustralia

On the road, driving to Wagga Wagga to attend Council meeting in support of the Wagga City Aero Club.  Let’s end discriminatory aviation fees and charges and unlock the general aviation tourism potential for the Riverina!



1:52 PM - 29 Jan 2018

Here's a reminder of that particular bunfight -

Via the Daily Advertiser:

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 JANUARY 11 2018 - 4:30PM
Wagga City Council dismisses ‘discrimination’ claims by AOPA over proposed airport fees

Lachlan Grey

Local News


 AOPA Australia executive director Benjamin Morgan has called on Wagga City Council to reconsider additional airport fees.

Wagga City Council has dismissed claims aircraft owners are being discriminated against by the proposed installment of landing and airport parking fees at Wagga Airport.

It comes after the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association of Australia released a formal statement calling for Wagga administrators to remove fees in order to “encourage greater use of (the) airport”.

Under the proposed parking fees, visiting fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft could be hit with fees of up to $9.68 per day, per tonne.

In a letter addressed to Wagga City Council general manager Peter Thompson, mayor Greg Conkey, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, AOPA Australia executive director Benjamin Morgan said the fees were at odds with charges made for other public space assets.

“The City of Wagga is imposing special and unique conditions that discriminate private and private business aircraft owners, requiring them to pay fees and charges that are not expected or levied against their boating, camping, caravanning or road-travelling counterparts,” he said.

“Should a tourist or visitor choose to fly their general aviation aircraft to Wagga, they are required to pay landing fees and parking charges - simply because they used a runway (and) not a highway.”


 Wagga City Council general manager Peter Thompson has addressed claims made by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia.

AOPA Australia claimed caravan owners and boat owners in the region weren’t required to pay fees and charges at council owned sites, however, Mr Thompson was succinct in his dismissal.

“The support for the submission would seem to have no direct relevance,” he said.
“The owners of caravan parks routinely charge for the use of their infrastructure as do the owners of rail assets in NSW.”

Mr Thompson also refuted allegations of discrimination against aircraft users and pilots, arguing fees and charges are routinely applied to the state-wide aviation sector.
 Wagga City Council's proposed airport fees compared to other regional airports.

“The proposed charges are not discriminatory towards aircraft owners,” he said.

“Even a cursory investigation of the management of similar facilities across the state reveals that the proposed approach to the management of Wagga Airport is consistent with the approach at other facilities.

The reason for (our) approach is that the airport facility is an expensive asset to construct, operate and maintain.”

Council stated a number of submissions had been made regarding the proposed fees, which would be considered in the coming weeks.

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MTF...P2