A plan to develop an aviation policy to improve regional air services has been announced by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Minister for the Department, Michael McCormack said public feedback on an initial issues paper would be sought to develop the policy.
“The issues paper will help all stakeholders assess the challenges, risks and opportunities for regional aviation operators and the communities in which they operate,” Mr McCormack said.
“It will identify how community access and the delivery of goods and services can be better supported to improve transport connectivity,” he said.
“The benefits the aviation industry can offer regional communities are enormous and that’s why we are committed to getting our Policy Statement right.”
He said the roles of the different tiers of Government and industry in regional aviation would be canvassed in the issues paper, including the provision of aviation services and airport infrastructure, and opportunities for better coordination in aviation programs operating in regional Australia.
Mr McCormack said the Regional Aviation Policy Issues Paper was the first in what was expected to be a series of issues papers addressing key issues impacting the aviation industry.
He said submissions would be accepted until Friday, 17 April.
The 28-page issues paper can be accessed at this PS News link.