The meeting follows community consultation sessions led by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) late last year and comes ahead of the Queensland Government’s regulated air routes tender, which is set to be released later this year.
RAPAD is facilitating the meeting to create a direct and constructive forum between regional leadership, business operators, service providers and agencies to explore community concerns, priorities and questions around regulated air services in greater detail.
RAPAD Chair and Longreach Regional Council Mayor Tony Rayner said mayors and councillors across Central West Queensland had been listening closely to their communities.
“Air services are a lifeline for our region. They’re critical not only for access to health, education and essential services, but also for lifestyle, tourism, workforce attraction and the day-to-day operation of local businesses,” Mayor Rayner said.
Some of the key issues raised by communities and industry include spikes in airfare costs, limited availability of regional seats, the impact of multi-stop services where seats are effectively ‘blocked’ earlier in a route, weather-related delays and offloading, and challenges with onward connections to other services.
“As the home of Qantas, and as a region that relies heavily on aviation, Central West Queensland understands better than most the value of reliable regional air services,” Mayor Rayner said.
“We’re grateful that representatives from QantasLink and Rex are joining us in person. That shows the importance of holding this level of discussion in-region, where local context and lived experience really matter.”
Mayor Rayner acknowledged the long-standing efforts of regional air service providers and their staff in maintaining vital connections, including the delivery of additional services for major events when possible.
“At the same time, many in our region feel that over the years we’ve been overlooked. When local insight isn’t fully considered, opportunities are missed. This meeting is about making sure those voices are heard clearly and directly,” he said.
RAPAD looks forward to the discussions and to playing a constructive role in shaping the upcoming tender and the commitments ultimately offered by operators.
Community members can submit their feedback via regional engagement sessions hosted by the department or via email to: regionalairservicesengagement@tmr.qld.gov.au
Find out more at: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/travel-and-transport/long-distance-air-services
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Media contact: Aleisha Domrow – 0423 116 865 adomrow@rapad.com.au