Since
the publication of the last Sunshine Coast Airport Master Plan and it's
associated Noise Management Study in DEC. 1998, we have been acutely
aware
of our vulnerability to Airport Development.
However we were constantly assured by the Airport Owners (The Maroochy Shire Council) that we would be kept informed of any adverse proposals being put forward and that our well-being was uppermost in their minds and in safe hands due to the formation of the Airport Advisory Board and it's associated Community Forum, however, the first thing we heard about this International Pilot Training School was the Media Announcement by Steve Padgett on 5th.DEC. when he announced it as a fiat accompli. So WHAT HAPPENED? We are
now being
told that the School will inject $100M into the Local Economy because
the
fifty or so students at any one time will be spending so much on
accommodation
and meals.
And they claim the extra four Lear Jets are so quiet we won't even notice their presence, especially since they will only be doing a couple of take-offs a day, due to the fact that these are Advanced Students who will be doing all their basic training somewhere else. And everybody knows it's the Basic Training which generates the NOISE. (So what happens when they consolidate their operations and COMBINE THE TWO a few years down the track?) (PS: Make that 5 years - see end) And If it's so GREAT why is it being moved out of Singapore? Mr
Padgett's Press Statement even included a Quote from the State Minister
for Development Tom Barton where he demonstrated his lack of
knowledge
and grasp of the situation by announcing that;
NO Mr. Barton - We do NOT wish to become the "Aviation Training Hub for South East Asia" and I'm sure that Singapore Airlines must be overjoyed to find an Airport and Government gullible enough to allow them to set up this NIGHTMARE in the midst of an established Residential Area - even without your added Incentives. This development is in complete disagreement with all the recommendations and safeguards put in place by such documents as; The State Planning Policy 1/02 for Aerodromes etc., and even the Master Plan itself. We find it inconceivable that any caring government entrusted with the well-being of its population would permit the interests of one single individual and a foreign company to override and jeopardize the lifestyle of its own constituents. |
A heavily edited version of the above was
published
in The Coolum Advertiser on 5/12/2001 and also used as the basis of an
article in the Daily on 8/1/02.
It drew the following response from Singapore Airlines on 11/1/02 |
An article by Jim Baker (CA. 21/12/01) has been drawn to my
attention,
quoting a Reg O'Reilly with numerous complaints about the proposed
operations
of the Singapore Flying College's Advanced Pilot Facility which
is
proposed for Maroochydore Airport.
I am sorry your reporter did not give Singapore Airlines the opportunity to some of these concerns earlier. I want to make it quite clear that Singapore Flying College will operate this facility in accordance with the directions set by local, state and federal authorities. This flight training is very important to ensure that our pilots can receive constant training and upgrading of their skills and qualifications. We take training of our flight crews very seriously, and invest heavily in it. It may be hard to convince Mr O'Reilly of the strengths and opportunities we hope to bring to the region as a good corporate citizen, but we'd ask to be given that chance. Stephen Forshaw, Public Relations Manager Australia |
STOP PRESS
(Page 3, Sunshine Coast Daily – 26/6/2002) so most people wouldn't see it until it's TOO LATE; The Hon. Tom Barton MP Minister for State Development is
quoted as saying
How can we hope to win against this
Multi$Billion
Giant Overseas Company and the Rich Entrepreneurs who can pull the wool
over the eyes of our Politicians and People in Power so easily in their
lust to make even more money.
|
NEWS FLASH 9/2/2007 Singapore Airlines today announced the launch of their new Cut-Price Airline "TIGER AIRLINES" to compete with VIRGIN and JetStar. Was THIS the driving Force behind the Last MASTER PLAN and the Push to Lengthen RWY.18/36? With the Longer Runway Option 3, TIGER would have been able to fly direct from Singapore. And was THIS the reason our Councillors were so RETICENT on the Subject and the reason there was so LITTLE Publicity? So the very LEAST we can look forward to is a 50% Increase in Jet Flights per Day, and probably an even Bigger Increase in Singapore Flying School Activities. And we haven't heard the Last about the Direct International Flights - We can be SURE about THAT! |