Push to create air link to tourism hot spot
TOURISTS could be flown from Victoria and Hobart into one of Tasmania’s more remote visitor hot spots if a feasibility study into the development of Strahan Airport as a visitor and freight gateway stacks up.
The airport only welcomes semi-regular flights from across Tasmania including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Par Avion and Helicopter Resources.
But the West Coast Council is hoping a study by Deloitte Access Economics will create a business case to develop the airport to accommodate bigger plans and more flights from within Tasmania and direct from the mainland.
The report is due back to council be the end of the financial year.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said two-day package flights into Strahan from Hobart would be enthusi- astically received.
“It would be a premium produc t where visitors could fly in, cruise the Gordon and go on the West Coast Wilderness Railway and return to Hobart,” Mr Martin said.
“The drive into the West Coast can put off some visitors and more flights could build on a lot of good things happening in the region right now. There is a new boat ready to carry passengers up the Gordon River and the heritage train is doing well.”
West Coast Mayor Phil Vickers said a study into the feasibility of operations at the Strahan Airport was highlighted during the creation of the West Coast Community Plan 2025 and the council gave a commitment to create a business case for the development of the facility as a potential visitor and freight gateway.
“The study will help address conditional interest from transport operators for regular passenger transport including from Victoria.”
The Strahan airport is owned and run by the council and is a registered facility which complies with relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements.
The feasibility study is being funded by the council with contributions from the Tasmanian Government, TasPorts, RACT Strahan Village and other stakeholders.
Strahan Village general manager Adam Brooks said the airport was a key gateway to the West Coast while TasPorts said the facility was crucial to addressing future tourism and freight needs.
The study will determine supply and demand for flights, costs of developing the airport so it can cope with larger aircraft and business opportunities more air access could create.