Here’s plain truth about accusation of airport ‘ tax’

I WANT to clarify some of the details included in a column ( TB, 21/ 7) about Townsville Airport.

The opinion piece focused on a number of issues including the airport redevelopment ( referred to as Project Alive), stating that the proposed $ 3 per passenger per trip Infrastructure Development Charge ( IDC) associated with the project was new and a tax.

Australian airport upgrades of this scale have been jointly funded by the airport owneroperator and a fair charge paid by airport customers – this is nothing new.

The previous Townsville Airport redevelopment in 2003 was funded this way, while Brisbane Airport’s second runway was also funded this way.

Singapore’s Changi Airport has just put an IDC in place.

The airport charge is also not a tax. The charge covers all costs to operate, maintain and develop the airport. For simplicity sakes, the airlines that use the airport collect a fair charge on a per passenger basis and pass it through to the airport. This is an internationally accepted way that airports operate.

Our problem is simple, to afford the redevelopment we need the support of all airlines to pass through an adjustment in the charge.

And our community is supportive. Our surveys continue to show unwavering support for a small adjustment in the charge collected to fund the redevelopment.

Townsville community leaders and political representatives are united about the need for this redevelopment.

Virgin Australia has agreed and is committed to our plans.

Indeed, the Townsville Bulletin has published a number of stories that have not only outlined why the redevelopment is necessary but that the air- port, which is funding this upfront, is entitled to recover some of the cost ( 50 per cent) over several years.

The airport needs to grow to unlock the future prosperity of the Townsville region and we look forward to moving ahead with this important project, which will have significant economic benefits for the Townsville and North Queensland community.

KEVIN GILL, Chief Operating Officer.