Qantas’ announcement of upragded aircraft replacing the current ones used in Port Lincoln and Whyalla is excellent news, but will come with a cost to Whyalla.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey informed the Parliament of his briefing from Qantas representatives in Canberra this week of their plans to retire the Q200 and Q300 QantasLink aeroplanes around Australia and replacing them with Q400s.
“This is welcome news for both Port Lincoln and Whyalla,” he said.
“The old aircraft carry about 50 passengers and the newly configured Q400s will have 78.
“Grey is serviced by Qantas in both regional cities and I have spoken many times in this place about the challenges, particularly for Whyalla, of the withdrawal of Federal government support for security scanners at the airport.
“So in Whyalla, while this will be generally welcomed, it comes with a bit of a kick.
“The airstrip will have to be ‘strengthened ‘ to accommodate the heavier aircraft.
“I have spoken to Whyalla council and was advised the strip has reached the point where it will have to be ripped up and completely relaid.
“While Council does not have current costings, Qantas estimate in the vicinity of $10 million. The people of Whyalla simply cannot carry that cost.
“Already the scanners the cost $1.1 million a year to operate for just 14 or 15 flights a week. That incurs a $45 outgoing cost on passengers, through their ticket prices.
“For people in Whyalla, businesses may be able to absorbe that cost, but we also have people who need to go to Adelaide for medical services, family reasons and it’s quite an impost.
“Additionally, the council tells me while Qantas, through their ticket prices, are covering the cost, the council is actually running a $1.16 million operating deficit on the airport.
“Whether inbedded in the ticket price, or ratepayers picking up the deficit at the airport, we cannot continue to load the people of Whyalla with what is an essential service.”
Mr Ramsey said Whyalla is mentioned very often by both State and Federal governments as a place of new investment, particularly around hydrogen, green steel and renewable energy.
“They say it’s going to be one of the economic drivers of our state,” he said.
“I’m here to tell the people that it’s time both of those governments put their money where their mouth is.
“They can talk about these things, but they cannot unload this cost on Whyalla. “Essentially, I’m asking for fifty-fifty funding for them and they should get their act together.
“Qantas wants to have these aeroplanes in place by the end of this year. There is a bit of a phase-in period, but I’d suggest we have about 12 months to get this right, and we need both governments to step up to the plate.”
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 62774967
May 15 2024
