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READY TO SOAR: Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer (centre) celebrates the Becker Helicopters move to Whyalla with Chief Executive Officer Captain Jan Becker and Executive Director, Captain Mike Becker.
Becker Helicopters has revealed how negotiations with the City of Whyalla and the South Australian State Government was one of the key reasons for its move from the Sunshine Coast to Whyalla.
Becker Helicopters this month signed a deal to transfer its operations to South Australia, ending a 25-year association with the Sunshine Coast.
Becker Helicopters Executive Director, Captain Mike Becker told the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper that his business, that supported 100 families, had been told its lease at the Sunshine Coast airport would not be renewed when it was due to expire in 12 years time.
Mr Becker said he had been welcomed with open arms in South Australia, achieving in nine months what couldn't be accomplished in 10 years in south east Queensland.
The moved was sealed after a year of negotiations between Becker Helicopters, the City of Whyalla, the State Government and Defence SA.
It stated in the Sunshine Coast Daily news story that the company would look to stage its departure over the next two years and was in negotiation to determine how that could be achieved.
"While we attempted to engage with local authorities in Hervey Bay, Gympie and here on the Sunshine Coast to keep our growth local, ultimately, we were not able to achieve agreements with any local council that would provide for the operating locations and conditions required to support the creation of future jobs in aerospace and aviation training on the Sunshine Coast," Mr Becker told the Sunshine Coast Daily.
"What we were able to achieve with (Whyalla Mayor) Lyn Breuer and (CEO) Chris Cowley at Whyalla Council, Ilona Horan at Defence SA and Jay Weatherill's Government in South Australia in one year exceeds any level of engagement that we have experienced from the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Councils in 23 years of operations.
"We look forward to continuing to develop this relationship as we move forwards to deliver international helicopter training to global clients from a purpose-build facility in Whyalla."
Mr Cowley said one of the most pleasing aspects of the Becker Helicopters move to Whyalla was the positive way the community had embraced it.
“Whyalla and its community is motivated and committed to accommodate new industry into this city and region,” he said.
“The people of Whyalla are genuinely excited about having a company like Becker Helicopters coming to Whyalla and will be bending over backwards to accommodate this operation and all those students who will be travelling here to conduct their training.”
The Sunshine Coast Daily story stated that the relocation represented the creation of 80 new jobs over three years in South Australia.
The South Australian Government would support the establishment of the new base in Whyalla through the Economic Investment Fund.
The new base would deliver pilot training for military needs and international students.
It was anticipated the shift would secure South Australia 80 full time jobs, 32 additional positions through flow on and another 60 during construction of the facility.
"What we were able to achieve with (Whyalla Mayor) Lyn Breuer and (CEO) Chris Cowley at Whyalla Council, Ilona Horan at Defence SA and Jay Weatherill's Government in South Australia in one year exceeds any level of engagement that we have experienced from the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Councils in 23 years of operations" - Captain Mike Becker.
The City of Whyalla has announced discussions were underway between Becker Helicopters, the University of South Australia and TAFE SA to create training partnerships to deliver degree-level and vocational aviation and aerospace training courses in the city.
Mr Cowley said the move by Becker Helicopters was good news all round for Whyalla when it came to the establishment of a new business that would help further diversify the city’s economy.
“Whyalla is the perfect fit for Becker Helicopters and we welcome this great company with open arms,” Mr Cowley said.
“There are so many reasons why Becker Helicopters works for Whyalla.
“Not only is our airport perfectly placed for this sort of helicopter training and activity, we have learning facilities in our city that will also provide Becker Helicopters with the classroom and study space for its students.
“With the expansion of the Cultana Army Base facilities between here and Port Augusta, it also makes perfect sense to have this sort of operation in our city.
“Becker Helicopters adds another bow to our portfolio as we look to diversify the Whyalla economy.”