Launceston, Devonport and Burnie should submit a joint bid to win the $20 million Qantas pilot academy, according to Tasmanian Nationals senator Steve Martin.
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Qantas announced in January it would open a regional pilot academy to train between 100 and 500 pilots a year.
Launceston and Devonport have prepared individual bids for the school, however the state government said it would only back one proposal.
In letters seen by The Examiner, Senator Martin told Treasurer Peter Gutwein and Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff that a combined bid was the state’s best chance at landing the flight school.
Senator Martin told the senior government figures that: “My concerns are that Devonport and Launceston Airports, by themselves, would not meet the prescribed requirements [of the school].”
Senator Martin strongly advocated for Devonport to solely win the academy, before this reversal of position.
“Tasmania will be facing stiff opposition from mainland sites, so a unified bid is the only way to go,” Senator Martin told The Examiner.
“My priority has always been and will be securing the pilot academy for Tasmania.”
The deadline to submit a proposal to Qantas is Friday, however the government has still not thrown its weight behind either bid.
Mr Gutwein did not say if the government would support a combined bid.
“The Office of the Co-ordinator General is working closely with stakeholders and work continues on the submission prior to the deadline,” he said.
Last month Qantas released a list of criteria that the winning airport must have.
It included a 1300-metre asphalt runway, capability for full lighting, fuel tanker refuelling facilities and enough hangar space for maintenance and parking of up to 30 aircraft, with the ability to grow to 50 aircraft.
“High-tech” student classrooms, facilities to accommodate flight training simulators, and a range of student accommodation options must also be available.
We want Tasmania to put its best foot forward...we reckon we have a strong, compelling bid for the Qantas pilot academy.
- Launceston Airport general manager Paul Hodgen
Launceston Airport general manager Paul Hodgen said it was up to the government to decide if a combined bid was a good idea, but believed Launceston fulfilled all the requirements Qantas had released.
“We want Tasmania to put its best foot forward...we reckon we have a strong, compelling bid for the Qantas pilot academy,” he said.
“Devonport is missing obvious things [from the criteria list] that we have, like a manned control tower and an instrument landing system.”
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
