In the days of Department of Transport if a jet service went to any destination it would automatically require a tower. I think it was when East West decided to operate F28s into Albury and Wagga is when they got their towers. I also think it was a helicopter pilot of note that decried the waste of taxpayers money in putting expensive infrastructure into regional airports just because a jet operated into these ports once a day. Apparently jets operated into regional airports in the US and they didn't need a tower.
I actually don't disagree with the idea of a Tower at Ballina and as Wagga,Albury and Tamworth have shown they are still thriving as airports. What I disagree with is the idea that the money needs to be spent on a fire station first.
As for this idea:
The near miss with the metro liner and heli 2013was just that..a near miss accident. They happen all the time all day long..it life.
