Courtesy of Susan Searle of the Toowoomba Chronicle
21 Feb 2008
Toowoomba City Council has earmarked $5.2 million to upgrade the airport to its fullest potential. The extension to the main runway, apron and taxiways will be within the existing site.
The work will accommodate Dash 8s - seating between 38 and 50 passengers. Councillors heard residents should have no fear of the quieter, more modern aircraft which ultimately would mean fewer flights for companies like Easternwell flying staff to work sites and home again.
A future regional airport council agreed should be built on land between Westbrook and Wyreema - as identified in a regional study. "There will never be 737s or 747s flying in or out of Toowoomba Airport," Cr Ramia said.
He said angst in the community had been fuelled by misleading news reports showing footage of jets flying in and out of the airport. Former Council designated custodian of the airport, Tom Redwood, took time out of his retirement to return to the chamber and sat in the public gallery yesterday. "it's taken 46 years, thank you" he told councillors yesterday.
Officers were awaiting a reply from Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon yesterday about the availability of Oakey civilian terminal for regular passenger services. But unlike Townsville, Newcastle or Darwin where Army and civilian operations work in harmony, councillors heard the Oakey Army Aviation Base was expanding its helicopter training school. It was worth $100 million to the economy a year.
Council staff refused to pre-empt a ministerial reply, but were not optimistic.
More Toowoomba Investor News
