Mackay Airport
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Airport examines biometric options

The Mackay Port Authority is exploring the use of biometrics, as the city’s airport moves to keep pace with global advances in security technology.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard is currently researching the use of iris, face and fingerprint security recognition scans for possible use in Mackay.

Security officer John Mucklestone with the current uniform worn by security staff

London City Airport was one of the first major international airports in Europe to establish biometric security access for its employees.

The UK model requires employees to use an electronic photo ID pass in conjunction with a fingerprint scan to confirm their identity before access is permitted to secure areas.

“We are preparing to do the ground work to determine what the best system is for Mackay,” Mr Heard said.

Mackay Airport employees currently use photo ID cards that are scanned across electronic door and gate sensors before access is granted to restricted areas.

All staff members are required to undergo extensive Federal Police and ASIO clearances and checks before security passes are granted.

Mr Heard said an investigation had been completed into the discovery of four MPA uniform security patches found at the Seaforth rubbish tip about a fortnight ago.

Children found the old badges while rummaging though garbage bags at the dump.

Airport co-ordinator Ray Waters said the patches had been brought to his attention by The Daily Mercury newspaper

“The patches are no longer used on security uniforms. They were replaced more than two years ago,” he said. “It appears they were thrown out with the kitchen scraps and other rubbish during a clean up by one of our employees.”

Mr Waters said the airport had a protocol in place that required security officers to return old or worn uniforms.

“These uniforms are destroyed,” he said.

Mr Waters has asked the people in possession of the old cloth uniform patches to return them to the Mackay Airport.

“Our officers don’t have security arm patches any more and anyone who wants to gain access to secure or restricted areas at the airport must have a security pass,” he said.

Mr Waters said it was nonsense to suggest that the worn and grubby patches could have enabled a person to gain access to a restricted area at the air or sea ports.