Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester requests urgent meeting with Transport Minister to overcome changes to the certification of Mallacoota airport
Civil Aviation Safety Agency (CASA) changes to the Manual of standards resulted in Mallacoota airport no longer meeting requirements for certification.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has requested an urgent meeting with the Transport Minister to overcome changes to the certification of Mallacoota airport. East Gippsland Shire Council which operates the airport made the decision after consulting with Air Ambulance Victoria and DELWP to ensure critical services could still be delivered.
Darren Chester has requested an urgent meeting with the Transport Minister to overcome changes to the certification of Mallacoota airport
Impacting the general aviation
The declassification resulted in no ability to use Notifications to Airmen (NOTAM) and removed Terminal Instrument Flight Procedures in which the pilot can use a set of published procedures to safely land when there is poor visibility weather conditions. Mr Chester said that since the decision had been made some pilots had refused to land and there was an incident of Air Ambulance Victoria refusing to send a flight.
"The latest changes which have impacted regional airports like Mallacoota are the latest in a long list of compliance costs and regulations which are impacting the general aviation sector," Mr Chester said.
Reduced air access
Mr Chester said, "The regulatory burden which falls on the aviation industry has a disproportionate impact on small regional operators who don't have a vast administration team to do all the paperwork demanded by CASA."
"As a former Minister, I was constantly trying to get the CASA bureaucracy to understand the real-world impacts of their rules and regulations on small operators. These latest changes, supposedly in the name of safety, are more likely to endanger lives and delay treatment for locals and visitors to Mallacoota." Mr Chester said.
"Mallacoota obviously relies on air access during emergency situations but also non-urgent flights to bring medical specialists to town will be impacted and people will have reduced access to preventative care. Nobody wants to compromise on safety but nothing has changed at the Mallacoota Airport in terms of instrument landings in poor weather except CASA has changed the rules." Mr Chester concluded.
Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Cann River fire damages three commercial properties and burns popular Squires Cafe to groundCommunity feedback wanted for the Wellington Shire Draft Budget 2024/25 by 29 May 2024
Appreciation to Bairnsdale volunteers for their support during Gippsland Rotary Centenary House fundraiser extended by Darren Chester
Baw Baw residents will get new purple-lidded glass bins collected separately every four weeks to better recycling process from October 2024
Exhibition by artist Matthew Bagley is captivating journey into ocean conservation at Berninneit Art Gallery
Outward Bound Australia praised by Darren Chester for their effort to revitalise Gippsland outdoor education
Penny Glover from Guthridge Primary School presented with John Printz OAM Award in front of a huge crowd at Sale Memorial Hall
Upgrades to Kalimna Hill trail in Lakes Entrance prioritises safety and accessibility for walker
Baw Baw Shire Council funds 28 community groups total of $105,303 from Community Grants Program
Free Masterclass sessions to promote safe and sustainable community events in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale over May 2024