12,000 in line to fly for Qantas
Tablelands council appoints interim chief
MORE than 12,000 would-be pilots have registered to train at Qantas’ international aviation academy as Mareeba is mooted as the prime candidate to host the flight school.
The airline is seeking to spend up to $20 million on the new facility in the 2019 financial year. A preference is to house it at a regional destination with a well-equipped airline industry and uncongested airspace.
Mareeba Shire Council has been vying to host the academy, hoping the town’s aerodrome and dry weather will help get it across the line.
Hill MP Shane Knuth questioned Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey late last month about whether the government was focusing its support for the training academy to be based at Mareeba Airport, given that the airport was a “leading contender and meets the criteria for the pilot training academy”.
Mr Bailey said Qantas had held preliminary discussions with the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.
“I understand that Qantas is yet to confirm detailed criteria or requirements for a suitable location,” he said.
“Like the member, I hope Qantas, which has a rich history with Queensland, recognises the many benefits regional Queensland would offer this training academy.”
A Qantas spokeswoman said there had been an overwhelming response since the Qantas Group Pilot Academy was announced early this year.
“More than 12,000 budding pilots have registered their interest – with 15 per cent of those being women,” she said.
“There’s a lot of excitement right across the Australian aviation industry and we’re looking forward to welcoming the first 100 students to the academy next year.” She confirmed there had not yet been a decision about where the facility would be based, other than it would be at a regional centre.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore said there had been few updates about the flight school.
“Until Qantas comes out with a statement about the process, how they’re going to spend the money, what’s intended, then we’re in limbo to a degree,” he said.
I HOPE QANTAS, WHICH HAS A RICH HISTORY WITH QUEENSLAND, RECOGNISES THE MANY BENEFITS REGIONAL QUEENSLAND WOULD OFFER THIS TRAINING ACADEMY.
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THE general manager of Tablelands Regional Council’s infrastructure services, Mark Vis, has been appointed interim chief executive until a permanent head is appointed.
Mayor Joe Paronella tabled a mayoral minute about appointing an interim CEO at the outset of the last council meeting. He advised the matter of the position would be discussed in the confidential section.
The acting CEO and community, planning and environment general manager, Bob Owen, declared he had a conflict of interest under the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 and council’s code of conduct.
“I am a candidate for the position and I will exclude myself from the meeting when this is discussed,” Mr Owen said.
The acting chief operating officer, Justin Commons, indicated he was a candidate for the CEO position as well. He left the meeting before councillors discussed the matter .
Council endorsed the appointment of Mr Vis as interim CEO on the motion of Councillors Kate Eden and Annette Haydon.