Proposed passenger fees at Dubbo airport have been reduced by Western Plains Regional Council, following criticism from airlines.
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The fees are among the issues contained in the 2016/17 draft operational plan and budget which will go before council at Wednesday’s extraordinary meeting in Wellington.
After going on public exhibition, 15 submissions were received on the budget on 17 different concerns.
Fees and charges must be struck with a balance between generating sufficient income without imposing undue burden.
- Ken Rogers
Airlines Regional Express (Rex) and Qantas both wrote to council objecting to the proposed fees and charges for regular passenger transport operators at the Dubbo City Regional Airport.
The original proposition was for the fees to rise by 2.8 per cent, which is above the CPI. However, after consultation with the airlines, the fees will only increase by 1.8 per cent, resulting in a reduced income of $28,000.
In the budget report, council’s director corporate development Ken Rogers said the fees would help fund capital works at the airport. However, he said it was a fine line to ensure the needs of the community were still met.
“Fees and charges must be struck with a balance between generating sufficient income without imposing undue burden on the airlines and ultimately the passengers,” Mr Rogers said.
“Opportunities must also be identified for the generation of income in addition to such fees and charges.”
Council will also investigate the development of a multi-function indoor sporting facility that caters for regional and state level basketball events, as campaigned for by the Dubbo Basketball Association.
If there are savings in the budget at the end of the financial year, $60,000 will be allocated to develop a business case for the facility, before a further report is submitted to council for consideration.
Another submission asked for council to consider constructing a bus shelter on the corner of Minore Road and Champagne Drive to protect students from the elements.