topendtorque
15th Mar 2007, 12:17
I did mention this in January I think and for any cross thread whisperers it would pay to pass the word on.
seems our poor navy cannot take a trick at the moment, can't fly over the ocean or the land, or they need to carry a doggy bag.
Media Release
13th March 2007
60/07
UP TENNANT CREEK WITHOUT A FUEL SUPPLY
The overnight grounding of a Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter at
Tennant Creek, due to a shortage of Jet A1 fuel, is positive proof of the
need for the Martin Government to negotiate with Shell to ensure a permanent
and adequate supply of the fuel at the Tennant Creek Airport.
“The Government has again been put on notice that the withdrawal of Jet A1
fuel supplies from Tennant Creek poses a significant risk to the people of
Tennant Creek and surrounding regions,” says Dr Richard Lim, a former pilot
and CLP spokesman for Central Australia.
“Had the grounded Sea King helicopter been involved in an emergency
operation, lives could have been put at risk while the fuel was trucked in
from Alice Springs.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service and Police Airwing both use Jet A1 fuel and
both are adversely impacted by the lack of Jet A1 fuel in Tennant Creek.
“Tennant Creek could not be used as a staging post for a major search and
rescue mission when at best 200 litres - in other words, a 44 gallon drum -
of Jet A1 fuel is stored there.
“It is understood the RAN Sea King required at least 1600 litres of Jet
A1fuel.
“I warned the Martin Government, in January, of the need for a permanent and
adequate supply of Jet A1 fuel at Tennant Creek.
“The Transport Minister, Delia Lawrie, should immediately enter negotiations
with Shell to ensure there is at least one tanker filled with jet fuel at the
Tennant Creek Airport.
“There is no excuse for Government inaction putting the health and safety of
the residents of Tennant Creek at risk.
“Tennant Creek is being treated like a poor cousin by the Martin Government.
“Equally, the absence of a permanent and adequate supply of jet fuel is
obviously hampering the Territory Government’s efforts to attract a regular
passenger service to Tennant Creek.
“Having engaged an aviation consultant early in its first term, the Martin
Government has presided over the steady decline in commercial and other
passenger air services in the Territory.”
seems our poor navy cannot take a trick at the moment, can't fly over the ocean or the land, or they need to carry a doggy bag.
Media Release
13th March 2007
60/07
UP TENNANT CREEK WITHOUT A FUEL SUPPLY
The overnight grounding of a Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter at
Tennant Creek, due to a shortage of Jet A1 fuel, is positive proof of the
need for the Martin Government to negotiate with Shell to ensure a permanent
and adequate supply of the fuel at the Tennant Creek Airport.
“The Government has again been put on notice that the withdrawal of Jet A1
fuel supplies from Tennant Creek poses a significant risk to the people of
Tennant Creek and surrounding regions,” says Dr Richard Lim, a former pilot
and CLP spokesman for Central Australia.
“Had the grounded Sea King helicopter been involved in an emergency
operation, lives could have been put at risk while the fuel was trucked in
from Alice Springs.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service and Police Airwing both use Jet A1 fuel and
both are adversely impacted by the lack of Jet A1 fuel in Tennant Creek.
“Tennant Creek could not be used as a staging post for a major search and
rescue mission when at best 200 litres - in other words, a 44 gallon drum -
of Jet A1 fuel is stored there.
“It is understood the RAN Sea King required at least 1600 litres of Jet
A1fuel.
“I warned the Martin Government, in January, of the need for a permanent and
adequate supply of Jet A1 fuel at Tennant Creek.
“The Transport Minister, Delia Lawrie, should immediately enter negotiations
with Shell to ensure there is at least one tanker filled with jet fuel at the
Tennant Creek Airport.
“There is no excuse for Government inaction putting the health and safety of
the residents of Tennant Creek at risk.
“Tennant Creek is being treated like a poor cousin by the Martin Government.
“Equally, the absence of a permanent and adequate supply of jet fuel is
obviously hampering the Territory Government’s efforts to attract a regular
passenger service to Tennant Creek.
“Having engaged an aviation consultant early in its first term, the Martin
Government has presided over the steady decline in commercial and other
passenger air services in the Territory.”