Time Out
27th Dec 2003, 14:16
THE campaign for an emergency helicopter in south-west Victoria has reached a $61 million breakthrough with the help of a gas exploration giant.
WestVic Helicopter Rescue Service chairman John Robinson yesterday revealed the committee had been in talks with Woodside Energy to help fund a search and rescue helicopter.
Under the new venture, Woodside would share the cost of a helicopter with the State Government on the condition it used the machine for off-shore gas work.
Mr Robinson said the deal would save the Government and the community $61 million over 27 years and give the region a state-of-the-art emergency helicopter.
But the venture faces several hurdles, including Woodside receiving approval for its multi-million-dollar project in the Otway Basin and a funding commitment from the State Government.
The committee has been pushing for a helicopter for almost eight years. The closest air rescue unit is based in Melbourne.
"This would have to be the best Christmas present anyone in the south-west of the state could ever ask for," Mr Robinson said.
"It's just that it's going to take a while for Santa to deliver it."
Mr Robinson said Woodside would need two heavy-lift helicopters for off-shore gas work in 2005 which would be on offer for search and rescue operations.
Under the proposal a new helicopter complete with mica-ambulance equipment would be purchased in 2006 for searches and rescues.
It would feature off-shore equipment for both emergencies and Woodside gas operations.
Mr Robinson said the Government would be approached for funding on a cost-share basis.
The Government fully funds the state's four other police and medical helicopters based at Bendigo, LaTrobe Valley and Melbourne at a cost of $4.5 million a year.
Mr Robinson was confident the deal would go ahead, saying it was an offer the Government would find too good to refuse.
"There is nothing like this sort of partnership in the world that we can find," he said.
"This is the culmination of eight years work by all of the community."
Mr Robinson said the community would be asked to donate to the construction of a full-time helicopter base at the Warrnambool aerodrome once the project received the official green light.
Woodside Energy spokeswoman Annalisa Grubisa said the partnership was in the best interests of the community and company operations.
"It's a great solution for the project considering we will be able to facilitate a community service with search and rescue capabilities," she said.
Ms Grubisa said Woodside was in the process of developing its Geographe and Thylacine gas discoveries off the coast of Port Campbell.
She said the helicopter dedpended on a funding partnership with the Bracks Government as well as the company's final investment decision on the gas project in April and environmental approval from the State and Federal Governments.
Under the original business plan, the State Government was being asked to fund up to $7 million to purchase a near-new helicopter plus ongoing running costs. The new proposal would see the Government contribute the same amount to buy a new helicopter but running costs would be shared with Woodside.
A State Government spokesman said the details of the proposal would be discussed soon and it was too early to say whether the project would be backed. He said previous discussions had been based around the original business plan and the new deal "changed that dramatically".
source (http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2003/12/27/1072308722981.html)
WestVic Helicopter Rescue Service chairman John Robinson yesterday revealed the committee had been in talks with Woodside Energy to help fund a search and rescue helicopter.
Under the new venture, Woodside would share the cost of a helicopter with the State Government on the condition it used the machine for off-shore gas work.
Mr Robinson said the deal would save the Government and the community $61 million over 27 years and give the region a state-of-the-art emergency helicopter.
But the venture faces several hurdles, including Woodside receiving approval for its multi-million-dollar project in the Otway Basin and a funding commitment from the State Government.
The committee has been pushing for a helicopter for almost eight years. The closest air rescue unit is based in Melbourne.
"This would have to be the best Christmas present anyone in the south-west of the state could ever ask for," Mr Robinson said.
"It's just that it's going to take a while for Santa to deliver it."
Mr Robinson said Woodside would need two heavy-lift helicopters for off-shore gas work in 2005 which would be on offer for search and rescue operations.
Under the proposal a new helicopter complete with mica-ambulance equipment would be purchased in 2006 for searches and rescues.
It would feature off-shore equipment for both emergencies and Woodside gas operations.
Mr Robinson said the Government would be approached for funding on a cost-share basis.
The Government fully funds the state's four other police and medical helicopters based at Bendigo, LaTrobe Valley and Melbourne at a cost of $4.5 million a year.
Mr Robinson was confident the deal would go ahead, saying it was an offer the Government would find too good to refuse.
"There is nothing like this sort of partnership in the world that we can find," he said.
"This is the culmination of eight years work by all of the community."
Mr Robinson said the community would be asked to donate to the construction of a full-time helicopter base at the Warrnambool aerodrome once the project received the official green light.
Woodside Energy spokeswoman Annalisa Grubisa said the partnership was in the best interests of the community and company operations.
"It's a great solution for the project considering we will be able to facilitate a community service with search and rescue capabilities," she said.
Ms Grubisa said Woodside was in the process of developing its Geographe and Thylacine gas discoveries off the coast of Port Campbell.
She said the helicopter dedpended on a funding partnership with the Bracks Government as well as the company's final investment decision on the gas project in April and environmental approval from the State and Federal Governments.
Under the original business plan, the State Government was being asked to fund up to $7 million to purchase a near-new helicopter plus ongoing running costs. The new proposal would see the Government contribute the same amount to buy a new helicopter but running costs would be shared with Woodside.
A State Government spokesman said the details of the proposal would be discussed soon and it was too early to say whether the project would be backed. He said previous discussions had been based around the original business plan and the new deal "changed that dramatically".
source (http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2003/12/27/1072308722981.html)