Mental Giants of Busselton International Airport!
Busselton is the gateway to margaret river and the southwest of WA.
dont want jet soot all over your grapes]
cav sav
merridin
had to laugh when I rode past on the weekend saw they are doing more roadworks (a slip lane off the highway for all the traffic LOL)
the apron big enough to park 3 738's at once, and not an airline or destination in sight. And the local MLA is complaining cos the Labor Governments tourism policy is too Perth focused....luv Perth cant even get a direct Tokyo flight happening and they think down there they are going to get a direct flight to anywhere? It's a massive waste of money....
the apron big enough to park 3 738's at once, and not an airline or destination in sight. And the local MLA is complaining cos the Labor Governments tourism policy is too Perth focused....luv Perth cant even get a direct Tokyo flight happening and they think down there they are going to get a direct flight to anywhere? It's a massive waste of money....
YBusso... it's all happening; NIMBYs beware!
And in the Latest "Bay to Bay"...
In the coming weeks Qantas will be undertaking a thorough review of airports across the country identified as potentially suitable for a new pilot training academy. The Busselton Margaret River Airport is one of nine sites which will be subject to further investigation in terms of airport infrastructure, environment, airspace, teaching and education facilities, student accommodation and business opportunities for suppliers.
There are advantages associated with the proposal. If selected, Qantas has indicated that it will make an initial investment of $20million to establish the new facility with funding ongoing. There will be a direct employment benefit with 40 people involved in training and support roles, as well as extended opportunities for local businesses and suppliers to support key administrative services and catering functions. Economic returns would flow onto local business from the new workforce, student population and their families. There would also be potential to attract education facilities such as universities with aviation courses and to expand scholarships and traineeships to young people. Of course having a pilot training academy based at the airport would also help promote the facility.
While Qantas completes its review and makes its final determination, Council will canvas the views of the broader community through the City of Busselton Your Say portal, noting that the proposal may not eventuate."
"Qantas Training Academy Proposal
In the coming weeks Qantas will be undertaking a thorough review of airports across the country identified as potentially suitable for a new pilot training academy. The Busselton Margaret River Airport is one of nine sites which will be subject to further investigation in terms of airport infrastructure, environment, airspace, teaching and education facilities, student accommodation and business opportunities for suppliers.
There are advantages associated with the proposal. If selected, Qantas has indicated that it will make an initial investment of $20million to establish the new facility with funding ongoing. There will be a direct employment benefit with 40 people involved in training and support roles, as well as extended opportunities for local businesses and suppliers to support key administrative services and catering functions. Economic returns would flow onto local business from the new workforce, student population and their families. There would also be potential to attract education facilities such as universities with aviation courses and to expand scholarships and traineeships to young people. Of course having a pilot training academy based at the airport would also help promote the facility.
While Qantas completes its review and makes its final determination, Council will canvas the views of the broader community through the City of Busselton Your Say portal, noting that the proposal may not eventuate."
"Airport Plan a Pup:Papalia"......
From the 'Busselton Dunsborough TIMES'.....(Fri Sept 7th 2018)
"WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia says stakeholders involved in the expansion of Busselton Airport were "sold a pup" and no airlines are interested in direct flights."
The article then goes on to say that the best hope for building the airport's stalled $13 million passenger terminal remained with Qantas choosing Busselton for one of two planned pilot training schools.
Why a 'training school' would need a $13 million 'passenger terminal' is not explained...…
Any takers..??
Further ramblings describe the lack of airline interest, 'and the feedback wasn't good, but he (Mr Harding, Tourism WA chairman) declined to outline the specifics because of confidentiality...….
However....City of Busselton Mayor, Grant Henley contradicted the Minister, saying its discussion showed "very strong interest in this region and the facility"...….
Previous findings from an airport feasibility study commissioned in 2009 found the airport was not viable while it was said the if 'visitation grew a further 50 per cent, there would be impetus for expanding Busselton Airport'.
No cheers here......
"WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia says stakeholders involved in the expansion of Busselton Airport were "sold a pup" and no airlines are interested in direct flights."
The article then goes on to say that the best hope for building the airport's stalled $13 million passenger terminal remained with Qantas choosing Busselton for one of two planned pilot training schools.
Why a 'training school' would need a $13 million 'passenger terminal' is not explained...…
Any takers..??
Further ramblings describe the lack of airline interest, 'and the feedback wasn't good, but he (Mr Harding, Tourism WA chairman) declined to outline the specifics because of confidentiality...….
However....City of Busselton Mayor, Grant Henley contradicted the Minister, saying its discussion showed "very strong interest in this region and the facility"...….
Previous findings from an airport feasibility study commissioned in 2009 found the airport was not viable while it was said the if 'visitation grew a further 50 per cent, there would be impetus for expanding Busselton Airport'.
No cheers here......
Anyone who took a look at this when the airport site was chosen knew it was simply the wrong place. It needs (needed) to be down between Margaret River and Augusta to serve that region. Too close to Perth and by turn, too far from the wine region that generates the tourist numbers. Fly there from Perth and you then need to hire a car to go anywhere. If you left "home" in a hire car at the same time you would drive to the airport then you would be there sooner in the hire car, allowing for one hour check in. As for direct flights from the East coast, not for twenty years.
The Mayor was proclaiming last year that they would have a direct flight to Melbourne AND Sydney this year. God knows what he was smoking at the time. The whole project is a massive waste of taxpayers money, including the runway and apron which has been expanded at great expense to cater for no demand.
From Saturday's West:
Interest in stalled airport
By Gary Adstead
At least three airlines have shown “positive levels of interest” in direct flights to the stalled Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport expansion, according to documents released under Freedom of Information laws.With the future of the $60 million development on hold after it was not listed in the State Government’s two-year tourism plan, the documents include a briefing note for the Premier in May last year, which warned of political damage if the airport was shelved.
“There remain substantial savings for the Government should it not proceed, however, there will be a political and social fallout if ceased,” it read.
A month later, Tourism WA wrote to the City of Busselton with an update on the expansion’s progress . “The most recent meetings that the city and Tourism WA undertook in Sydney and Melbourne identified positive levels of interest by all three airlines met with,” the letter read. “While this does not denote a confirmation of flights or indicate what, if any, level of support may be required to secure the route, it does indicate a level of seriousness in their view.”
Earlier this year, Regional Development Minister Alannah Mac-Tiernan said a review of the project would be done before any commitment to build a $13 million terminal.
The Government was looking for concrete commitments to direct flights and awaiting a decision by Qantas, which has shortlisted Busselton as the possible base for a new pilot training academy . Liberal MP for Vasse and shadow tourism minister Libby Mettam said the Government had “undermined” the airport plan and risked its viability.
“We are still yet to see a major airline commit to passenger services ,” Ms MacTiernan said.
By Gary Adstead
At least three airlines have shown “positive levels of interest” in direct flights to the stalled Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport expansion, according to documents released under Freedom of Information laws.With the future of the $60 million development on hold after it was not listed in the State Government’s two-year tourism plan, the documents include a briefing note for the Premier in May last year, which warned of political damage if the airport was shelved.
“There remain substantial savings for the Government should it not proceed, however, there will be a political and social fallout if ceased,” it read.
A month later, Tourism WA wrote to the City of Busselton with an update on the expansion’s progress . “The most recent meetings that the city and Tourism WA undertook in Sydney and Melbourne identified positive levels of interest by all three airlines met with,” the letter read. “While this does not denote a confirmation of flights or indicate what, if any, level of support may be required to secure the route, it does indicate a level of seriousness in their view.”
Earlier this year, Regional Development Minister Alannah Mac-Tiernan said a review of the project would be done before any commitment to build a $13 million terminal.
The Government was looking for concrete commitments to direct flights and awaiting a decision by Qantas, which has shortlisted Busselton as the possible base for a new pilot training academy . Liberal MP for Vasse and shadow tourism minister Libby Mettam said the Government had “undermined” the airport plan and risked its viability.
“We are still yet to see a major airline commit to passenger services ,” Ms MacTiernan said.
Yet we still can't even plan a training flight to YBLN in a light aircraft due to the Busselton Airport ridiculous noise plan as a result of FOUR d*ckhead residents. Good luck with RPT Jets! Gee, I guess my props will NEVER be in sync despite my best efforts making large power changes at certain GPS coords near YBLN. (hint...they are given in the noise plan!)
You're not helping. Maybe trying to reduce noise is a better ploy than throwing petrol on the fire? If the noise plan gets more onerous, the other users of Busselton will know who to thank.
The latest in this sad sorry saga.
https://www.watoday.com.au/national/...04-p507qw.html
Interesting comment near the end of the article by Alannah Mciernan
As said above. WTF has a flight academy got to do with the construction of a passenger terminal? I guess you could put a heap of temporary partitioning in relatively cheaply and gut it for when the A330s and 787s show up 
THis has probably been the worse case of pork barrelling ever.
https://www.watoday.com.au/national/...04-p507qw.html
Interesting comment near the end of the article by Alannah Mciernan
Ms MacTiernan said there was "no point building a new terminal that no one will use", but the government indicated it would give a green light if Qantas selected Busselton for its second pilot academy.
THis has probably been the worse case of pork barrelling ever.
Rumours circulating that a ‘certain’ airline is looking at a twice weekly ‘milk run’ between Busso, Hedland (customs) onwards to Bali and return.
Blind Freddie can see through this stunt if that is what they are proposing