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Petition To Save Essendon AirportMorwell MP Russell Northe has called on the Latrobe Valley community to reject the Brumby Government’s plans to close Essendon Airport.
By Russell Northe MLA - 29th September 2008 - Back to News The Victorian Liberal National Coalition has launched a petition demanding the Brumby Government abandon this plan, labelling Labor’s policy shift as short sighted.
"Many Gippslanders were shocked when earlier this month, Premier Brumby confirmed that it was Labor’s policy to shut down Essendon Airport," Mr Northe said today.
"Our community relies on the Essendon Airport as a vital transit point in and out of Melbourne.
"The airport provides an important and strategically located base for emergency services such as the Victorian Air Ambulance, SES and the Police Air Wing.
"If the air ambulance service was moved to another airport, it could add 30 potentially fatal minutes to the trip to Melbourne’s acute care hospitals," he explained.
Mr Northe said the changes could also detrimentally impact on response times for Elvis, the fire fighting aircraft which plays a critical role in protecting the Gippsland region during bushfire season.
"The Coalition has launched a petition to enable Victorians to send a message to the Brumby Government that the closure of the Essendon Airport is just not on," the Nationals MP said.
"I encourage all those concerned about the proposal to call into my office at 66 George St Morwell, sign the petition and register their objection to Brumby’s unacceptable plan."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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