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The City of Whyalla will continue talks with the Federal Government over the proposed national security upgrade for regional airports.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the Whyalla airport (pictured) was an important asset for the city and he welcomed any measures that would improve the facility and increase safety and comfort for passengers.
Mr Cowley was speaking after a press conference called by Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick at the Whyalla airport today where the senator called on the Coalition Government to cover all the costs of the proposed security measures through the Regional Airport Security Screening Fund.
The Whyalla airport is council run and owned.
“We are always keen to work with government on any improvements for our city and have already held talks with Federal Government representatives regarding these proposed security measures,” Mr Cowley said.
"I fully expect suitable arrangements will be able to be made to ensure Whyalla and Port Lincoln passengers are not unfairly penalised." - Rowan Ramsey
Mr Cowley said Council could see the merit in the new security measures but stressed they needed to be properly and sustainably funded.
“Council is in the process of undertaking an initial assessment of the potential costs of the proposed security upgrades. I believe there will be substantial financial shortfalls in construction funding and there are concerns about ongoing running costs.
“As we move forward as a city it is vital to attract people via the airport and provide an affordable and viable service for those living and working here.
“With this in mind, we will continue to work with all parties to ensure a satisfactory outcome.
“I’d like to thank Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey who has already raised the issue in Canberra after positive talks with Council.”
Mr Ramsey said he raised the implications of compulsory security screening early last year and the consequent amendments passed through the Parliament allow for the regulator to have flexibility in dealing with airports with low passenger numbers.
He said he “fully expected” Whyalla and Port Lincoln passengers would not be unfairly penalised.
“The screening only applies to aircraft carrying more than threshold number of seats and consequently it will not apply to many small airports,” Mr Ramsey said.
“Those serviced by only Rex Airlines will be unaffected. In the seat of Grey the only two that would be affected are Port Lincoln and Whyalla.
“In both airports it is the Qantas aircraft only that exceed the threshold and without the flexibility in the act Whyalla would have been the worst affected airport in Australia with a per ticket cost of around $80.
“Airports with comparatively low passenger numbers will be able to make a case to the regulator and I fully expect suitable arrangements will be able to be made to ensure Whyalla and Port Lincoln passengers are not unfairly penalised.
“The Department for Home Affairs continues to work with the Australian Airport Owners Association regarding the implementation of the arrangements.”
In a prepared statement, Senator Patrick said the Federal Government had not offered sufficient funding through the Regional Airport Security Screening Fund for the cost of the airport terminal modifications that will be required at Whyalla. Senator Patrick also raised concerns about the operating costs of the new security equipment.
Senator Patrick said the full capital and operating costs of the Canberra-mandated changes must be borne from consolidated revenue.
About the grant program
The Regional Airport Security Screening Fund (the program) was announced in the 2018-19 Federal Budget to support eligible regional airports required to conduct enhanced aviation security screening.
The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) has determined funding eligibility based on departing passenger data held by the Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) from the 2017 calendar year, seating capacity of the aircraft hosted by the airport and details of the aviation security screening equipment in use at each airport as at 8 May 2018. Funding is only available where eligible regional airports are required to purchase or replace existing equipment in order to meet the minimum new aviation security screening requirements.
The objective of the program is to support eligible regional airports in moving quickly to implement new aviation security screening requirements.
The intended outcome of the program is to further strengthen the security of the regional aviation network.
The program is restricted to pre-identified eligible regional airports invited to apply. Home Affairs consulted with eligible airports prior to the program opening for applications. During the consultation process, Home Affairs determined the individual security screening equipment requirements and maximum grant amount for each airport.
Regional Airport Security Screen Fund Overview
The objective of the program is to support eligible regional airports in moving quickly to implement new aviation security screening requirements.
$50.1 million is available over four years for the program which includes $49.195 million for grants.
The program is restricted to pre-identified eligible regional airports invited to apply. Home Affairs consulted with eligible airports prior to the program opening for applications. During the consultation process, Home Affairs determined the individual security screening equipment requirements and maximum grant amount for each airport.
The grant amount will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs. Grant amounts for individual airports are pre-determined by Home Affairs based on a set cost to replace existing or purchase new aviation security screening equipment where necessary, to meet requirements that apply to that airport.
Project activities can include:
- acquisition, and commissioning of approved aviation security screening equipment
- upgrade of existing equipment to meet the same specifications (hardware and software) of approved aviation security screening equipment and commissioning
- acquisition and commissioning of any equipment that is directly associated with the new aviation security screening equipment such as roller beds, trays and perspex shields
- capital works to accommodate new aviation security screening equipment that is pre-approved by the Home Affairs prior to making an application, and which is detailed in your invitation to apply. Home Affairs contacted those airports that are eligible to undertake capital works prior to the round for applications opening.
* Information provided at https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/regional-airport-security-screening-fund
READ MORE STORIES ABOUT WHYALLA AIRPORT
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=730&c=64537
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=730&c=55237