For example, it was agreed over 18 months ago that Airservices would upgrade the Class G airspace above FL145 to Class E right across Australia. This is a major safety improvement, requires no extra training for controllers and no extra facilities or equipment, yet Airservices has once again delayed the introduction. Initially the Class E upgrade was to come in by June 2004. Airservices then insisted that the upgrade needed to be put off until November 2004. At recent meetings they have claimed that they can do nothing in November and it needs to be postponed again
No extra training or costs...
Mr. Smith; there have been multiple trials about lowering E to FL145; all of these conclude that multiple extra facilities (VHF frequencies) are required; that probable resectorisation is needed and extra staff; that training would be required for every ATC that currently works E to FL180. They won't need training in E airspace procedures, but the will need training in how to manage traffic with 'new CTA' areas, new frequencies, new sectors etc... VOR is right that due to the limited surveillance the 'procedural standards' cause significant delays, lowering the base increases the delays; solving this with VFR E procedures makes it incredible complex; who needs traffic who needs separation; you can't plan anything in that environment, which means you are really lousy doing your job.
From ASAs point of view, ADS-B is only a few months/years away; why change this when the 'easy solution' is probably just around the corner. ADS-B will greatly improve efficiency and will reduce controller numbers, not increase them (as would lowering without it). If the change in airspace is concurrent with the change in technology it would happen very, very smoothly...
Mr. Smith, we don't make these types of decisions lightly, to imply that Bernie is making a bonus derived decision in this case is crazy. There would be a minimum of 80 controllers who would refuse to operate with an E base FL145 with today’s technology and I wouldn't blame them. There s no way it can be done (without technology or significant extra controllers and frequencies); let alone done in the manner in which you imply.
Bottle of Rum