Media Release No. 3, 26 February 2009
"Torres Shire Seeks Community Support to achieve its Airport Funding Objective"
Today Mayor Pedro Stephen stated, "Torres Shire Council continues to seek funding for the Horn Island Airport's runways strengthening and extension. Estimated cost is $12.0 million; estimated funding shortfall is $ 9.4 million.
As part of Council's comprehensive action strategy, a power point presentation is now being forwarded to relevant Federal and State Government departments and other agencies. It provides a clear and concise explanation of the airport runways problems.
Local users of the airport, being representatives of the Commonwealth and State Government Departments and local organizations and businesses, are urged to make representations to Canberra and Brisbane. Please contact the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Anna Bligh, State Transport Minister John Mickel and any other appropriate Ministers, Federal Member Jim Turnour and State Member Jason O'Brien on the need for urgent funding of our airport project.
With the State Government being held on 21 March, Council has requested the Premier, Transport Minister and the local candidates for Cook Electorate to define their policy towards regional airports and particularly how their Government will provide the necessary funds to enable the upgrade and extension works at Horn Island to proceed as soon as possible.
With a population of only 4,500, the huge funding short fall is a great hurdle for the Torres Shire to overcome. The Shire needs both State and Federal Government to provide the necessary funding to enable us to overcome this region's major transport problem.
This project is essential due to the airport's contribution to regional & international aircraft transport, regional economic development, defence strategy & availability, border protection, health, tourism, government staffing & services and many other regional & community purposes.
The only practical mode of real transport is by regional and local aircraft. There are no other feasible passenger transport systems, such as road, rail or sea, between our nearest metropolitan city (Cairns) and the Torres Strait.
The airways are our highways; our only real access to the outside world. It must be emphasized that the small Torres Strait islands are separated by large distances of water in the 49,000 square kilometers of the Torres Strait region.
Thursday Island is the government administrative hub for the region with over 36 different federal and state offices located on it and a further 40-45 offices located within the Torres Strait. These include essential services such as Police (Federal & State), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Dept of Defence, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Dept of Immigration, Queensland Health and Queensland Fire Service. The transportation of government officers to maintain these services account for more than 65% of passengers.
Council strongly believes that the funding of this essential airport project would be a perfect example of the Federal Government demonstrating how their "Close the Gap" target for indigenous people could be achieved in the Torres Strait region.
Torres Shire seeks your support in our ongoing battle to achieve the necessary funds for the airport project.
Mayor Pedro Stephen
Please contact Mayor Pedro Stephen or Bernie McCarthy, CEO, on phone 07 4069 1336, ceo@torres.qld.gov.au if clarification is required on any matters in this news release.
