BIRDSVILLE LANDING FEE RIP OFF

[dhavillandpilot]

Having just had 6 aircraft through Birdsville for the races I recieved a bill from Intergrated Airport Solutions. Apparently they control the landing charges during the race week and charge each aircraft $25 per person for the privledge of landing. This equated to $200 per aircraft, where normally it is around $50

As some who puts aircraft through this port fortnightly with normal landing charges payable it is a blatant rip off.

Why apart from an "iconic" race meeting that is not attracting the numbers it use to why would you even go to Birdsville. Thargomindah is a much more tourist freindly location that actually cares about visitors, and charges reasonable landing fees.

All the cars that arrived in town weren't charged extra for merely turning up at Birdsville, yet this company gets away with a surcharge due to the timing.

[VH-XXX]

Someone has to pay for the up-keep on the runway and facilities. Road taxes from cars unfortunately don't cover this.

In reality it's no different to the Marree Progress Society forcing all commercial operators to buy Avgas through them and them taking some high price per litre as progress "tax."

[ChrisJ800]

I dont recall getting charged when I landed there 20 years ago for the races but I can understand the organising needed and if they are providing something for your fee such as a dunny, a shower, extra ATC and security, that seems fair.

[PyroTek]

When I flew to the races in 2009 we were charged $20 or $25 per person to land and get entry to the races. We dealt with it. I don't see how it is a big deal.

[baswell]

Seems rather excessive, but it is in ERSA, so it should not have come as a surprise.

What surprises me more is that you pay landing fees the rest of the year as ERSA mentions nothing about those.

You can't hang out and advert for people to come to your airport (i.e.: ERSA) and when they land, suddenly charge them a fee.

No mention of fees in ERSA or in my PPR phone call = no fee for you.

[thorn bird]

simple solution to this...just dont go there.
Nobody turns up, they get no fees.

[Di_Vosh]

I've been there twice and paid around $20 - $25 per passenger IIRC.

I'm guessing that pays for the CAGRS service, firewood collection, portaloos, showers, marshalls and weather service (for the return flight).

Not a rip-off IMHO.

DIVOSH!

[OZBUSDRIVER]

firewood collection, portaloos, showers

That part surely is a camping fee and should be advertised as such. Maybe, a more realistic breakdown of the cost would have less angst amongst the plebs.

[zac21]

Ah' XXXX,,,, the good old Marree "Lack of Progress Association" !!!!!
The airfield built at the tax payer's expense (for the RFDS) and the locals (LOPA) want more money (and no reciepts), I wont go into the fuel debacle!!:ugh:

[jas24zzk]

Last time I was there it was 20 bucks per head. We were chatting about it in front of some others whom had driven in and were camping. They had also been hit with a $20 fee to camp, make use of the portaloo's etc, this was on top of the caravan parks 'normal' fee.

i felt a lot happier paying my 20 bucks thats for sure!


And seriously...when you consider this as a percentage of the cost of your flight...............................

I reckon the fuel charges were much worse.

[zanthrus]

Simple, if you feel that strongly don't pay it!

[jas24zzk]

Simple, if you feel that strongly don't pay it!

could leave you a lil short of the next fuel stop :sad:

[PA39]

probably fairer to charge per aircraft in leu of per pax.

[zanthrus]

I meant dont pay the landing fees. Obviously fuel up and pay for that then leave!

[Old Akro]

Parked a car in the city (any capital city) lately?

[dhavillandpilot]

Most of you missed the point.

1. I have never advocated not paying for services ie reasonable landing fees for services provided - but a blatant rip off is unacceptable.

2. Have any of you actually used the services provided in Birdsville? Passengers usually use the toilet facilities in the Hotel NOT the airport. The runway and ancillary facilities were provided under the Commonwealth when we use to pay a set Air Navigation Charge for an Aircraft each year. Maintenance for this airport is not that excessive as it is in a generally dry climate (I speak from experience as I am also a Structural Engineer that specialised in Road, Drainage & Bridge designed which is allied to airport design)

2. For those that haven't been to Birdsville, apart from the $25 per person fee at the aerodrome there is another $20 to get into the race meeting - the race entry fee is reasonable considering what needs to be provided for the "punters".

So the total for anyone flying into Birdsville to go to the races is in actual fact $45 per person.

Whether people like it or not Australian Tourism is in very much a decline due to the $AUD, and anyone in the Industry will tell you it is very difficult for company's to attract clients to "see Australia" rather than go to Bali or the USA.

So when small towns that need every dollar in tourism they can get start down the road of excessive charges people vote with their feet. I surmise that this years race meeting, with a very much reduced attendance, is an example of what is happening.

It is time for the Diamantina Shire Council to re think their strategy and perhaps be a bit more user freindly to company's that actual bring people to their area to spend money and provide employment- especially ones that consistently operate throughout the year as well as for the "first weekend in September".

[Wally Mk2]

I agree with what you say 'Dehav' but what is a fair price these days in the user pays world? I used to go to BDV 20 yrs ago when it was fun & virtually free but would avoid the place like the plague these days as it's too controlled & costly.
We now live in an over regulated society that stretches far & wide

Apart from the cost what was the general atmosphere like there this year?

Fred's B's boxing tent still in action there?


Wmk2

[Atlas Shrugged]

If you can privately afford the hourly operating costs of a small GA aircraft, then you can most certainly afford twenty or so bucks to land it.

[L0u0k0e]

Fred's B's boxing tent still in action there?


First time I've been there so can't speak for general atmosphere this year, but the Brophy tent was awesome, some very entertaining fights wen't down.

[baswell]

If you can privately afford the hourly operating costs of a small GA aircraft, then you can most certainly afford twenty or so bucks to land it.
If you can privately afford to drive a motor vehicle, then you can most certainly afford the $20 fee for using the rest stop with playground, toilets and barbecues at the edge of the country town you are passing through on your $300/day family holiday.

Oh wait, they don't charge $20 for that, they just put it up so they win some business from people passing through.

You are missing the point, I am afraid...

[Di_Vosh]

Have any of you actually used the services provided in Birdsville?

Well, yes I have, thanks for asking. Both times I went we used the firewood that someone had collected, used the toilets, used the showers, used the briefing room on Sunday morning for weather (this was before Naips on iPhone ;) ) and was grateful for the CAGRS service on arrival.

Do you think it's free to get the showers and portaloos driven in, the water and cleaning services for the above, and the extra personnel for the airport services on the weekend? This isn't the 60's or 70's where the govt pays for everything. We're in a user pays world whether we like it or not.

So the total for anyone flying into Birdsville to go to the races is in actual fact $45 per person.

Really?

Unless you're in an aircraft that you own, I'd have thought that the total for anyone flying to Birdsville would be well north of $1000.00! Finding it hard to believe that an extra $45 dollars is such an issue.

Baswell

If you can privately afford to drive a motor vehicle, then you can most certainly afford the $20 fee for using the rest stop with playground, toilets and barbecues at the edge of the country town you are passing through on your $300/day family holiday.

Oh wait, they don't charge $20 for that, they just put it up so they win some business from people passing through.



Big Assumption there. How sure are you that that rest stop wasn't part of a national or state project? (or built in the 60's or 70's as mentioned above) But even if it was a local project, the costs would be borne by the local ratepayers. Are you seriously suggesting that the Diamantina local council give the Birdsville residents (all 100 of them) an annual surcharge to cover the races?

DIVOSH!

[Rich-Fine-Green]

DHP: As much as I sympathise, it's a common practice across Australia these days.

Australia has become a VERY expensive country the last few years.

Until Gillard imposes a breathing tax, we still have some control over how we spend our money. You can choose not to go to the Races again in the future.

Your comment about Australian Tourism is on the right track. Think of it this way; In a competitive environment - the communities that do not charge you $25 per head may get your business in the future over Birdsville.

Next September, Fly to Hervey Bay instead. Go Whale watching. There is no per-head charge at the airport. However, there is a marine park levy added by the tour operators.... ;)

[multime]

Agreed, Australia is a very $$$ country.
ASIC CARDS just went up 25%.
Ontop of everything else. Bring on the revolution, or at very least an election.

[RadioSaigon]

Until Gillard imposes a breathing tax...

Never heard of Death Duties huh? It's the only thing you don't get to pay for until after you're finished with it...

[baswell]

Big Assumption there. How sure are you that that rest stop wasn't part of a national or state project? (or built in the 60's or 70's as mentioned above)
You mean like the airfield they inherited?

But even if it was a local project, the costs would be borne by the local ratepayers.
I doubt 100 local rate payers could afford much of anything. These towns are funded by state and federal grants and there is no reason those could not be extend to critical transport infrastructure required to make civilised life possible.

How much of the stimulus money went on worthwhile aviation projects in stead of $1M school pergolas actually worth about $100K?

Are you seriously suggesting that the Diamantina local council give the Birdsville residents (all 100 of them) an annual surcharge to cover the races?

They can charge all the entry to the races they like. And charge the same exorbitant prices for food, drink and accommodation as charges for events in cities. I just don't see a need to increase the landing fee for the event, even to those not going to the races, which it sounds like the original poster was doing.

It would be like increasing road tolls on days the footie is on! (Don't get me started on the subject of road tolls...)