Parkes MP Mark Coulton has offered his support to Dubbo should the opportunity come to make a formal bid for a $20 million Qantas pilot academy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Coulton reported he had met with mayor Ben Shields and Dubbo Regional Council general manager Michael McMahon recently and the pair had spoken to him about plans to pursue the facility.
The MP who is assistant minister for trade, tourism and investment said he thought Dubbo would be a good choice for the Qantas academy, which would train up to 500 pilots.
The airline announced its intention to establish the base in a regional location last month, foreshadowing it would open in 2019.
It’s sparked a wave of interest from councils across the state.
Mr Coulton anticipated there was still “a long way to go” and said he understood Qantas was yet to put the formal process in place.
“Should the opportunity arrive and should they [Dubbo Regional Council] need my support, certainly they will have it,” he said.
He noted Moree, also within his electorate, was moving to put its hat in the ring as well.
“And I’ll certainly, should either of my towns require my assistance through the process, more than happy to help,” he said.
Mr Coulton highlighted a number of projects at the Dubbo complex, including an upgrade of the runway with funds from the Commonwealth and state governments and Dubbo Regional Council.
“A lot of money going into the Flying Doctor base,” he said.
“There’s the Rural Fire Service base and now there’s a very strong proposal for an indigenous training school for indigenous pilots in conjunction with the RFDS.
“There’s a lot of activity happening around there and I think a flight school would fit into that.
“Besides the fact Dubbo is a town that can offer the opportunities for accommodation and lifestyle for the trainees while they’re in the area.
“The passenger movements for people coming through Dubbo Regional Airport have improved exponentially, over the last couple of years, so it really is becoming more of a centre for aviation and I think it’s going to continue to grow in that area.”
At least 10 NSW councils are moving to make a bid.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
