Workers at the Mackay Port Authority have taken on the challenge to further assist the CQ RESQ Helicopter Service.

MPA painter Bill Dunn is happy to donate $2 a week from his pay packet.

MPA employees and members of the CFMEU are the first in the district to lift their weekly payroll donations from a dollar to $2 a week.

RACQ-CQ RESQ general manager Phil Dowler said operational costs had increased by about 100 per cent since the helicopter first took to the skies in 1996.

“The MPA’s support is fantastic news – at the end of the day every dollar helps.” Mr Dowler said.” If everyone follows the MPA’s lead, payroll deductions will inject more than half a million dollars into service’s coffers.”

Last year 5000 people donated $271 000 through payroll deductions. Mr Dowler said the service faced a constant battle to keep the rescue helicopter in the air.

“The State Government provides $890 000 to keep us going each year. That’s about a third of the total operational ‘bill’ of $2.5 million. The remainder is funded through donations and sponsorships,” he said.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the MPA was a strong supporter of the rescue helicopter service.

“Recently we handed over $2000 fished out of the barra pond “wishing well” at the airport,” he said. “CQ RESQ used this money to purchase a purpose-built medical trolley.

Mr Mann said MPA employees had a great affinity with CQ RESQ – and the decision to lift payroll deductions to $2 a week showed the community spirit that was alive and well within the MPA.

Meantime, Mr Dowler said two lucky “contributors” to the payroll deduction scheme would enjoy a holiday on Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island has donated a weekend for two people to the island. The winners will be drawn next month.

The Mackay Port Authority is investigating the use of special plastic baggage wraps in a bid to offer passengers additional security when jetting out of Mackay.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor is supporting moves to introduce plastic baggage wrap protection at Mackay Airport.

The move comes in the wake of the Schapelle Corby trial in Bali and other serious drug allegations directed at baggage handlers at Sydney Airport.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said inquiries would be conducted in the United States and Europe in an attempt to source electric wrapping machines.

Mr Taylor said the MPA was embarking on the project as a community service and would offer the machines to the major airlines operating out of Mackay.

The machines could cost up to $15 000 each.

“We understand that Brisbane, Melbourne and Townsville are the only airports in Australia where the plastic wrapping service is currently available,” he said.

“The free plastic wraps will offer Mackay’s travelling public extra security to prevent baggage tampering and damage. It will offer the people of Mackay peace of mind, but at the end of the day it will be up to the airlines on whether they are prepared to introduce the service,”

A meeting of the Mackay Port Authority Board today directed officers to further investigate the implementation of the new security wrap system and the availability of the stretch, or bubble wrap machines.

More than 2000 people attended the CQ Rescue Helicopter open day on Saturday, April 16.

The Mackay Port Authority supported the day by providing "air-side" security, parking supervision and the connection of power to the field site.

More than 2000 people visited the Mackay Port Authority display at the CQ Rescue open day on Saturday.

The MPA also staged a display in the CQ Rescue hangar, outlining the authority’s on-going support to the lifesaving rescue organisation.

Since the service’s inception, MPA staff has donated more than $10 000 through weekly payroll deductions. CQ Rescue benefits from the generosity of visitors to Mackay Airport, via the barra pond wishing well. Money fished out of the pond is shared by CQ Rescue and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

A decision by the MPA Board to waive helicopter landing fees have proven to be an extra bonus.

As part of the open day display, The Mackay Port Authority staged a free “raffle” of MPA merchandise.

More than 300 entries were received and the lucky winners were Murray Todd of Mackay, Emily Barnett of Mackay and Shaun Smith of Marian.

The MPA display also carried a banner encouraging the community to support the search for missing Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe.

The Mackay Port Authority has formed a committee of airport operators to help improve ramp safety at Mackay Airport.

The committee held its inaugural meeting today where a wide range of topics including airside driving licences and standards, regulations and security issues were discussed.

The committee (pictured below) comprises (from left) Brendan McCormack (aviation Ground Handling), Graham Mitchell (Aviation Ground Handling), Dan Firth (Aviation Ground Handling), Gordon Haggarty (Mackay Aviation Services), Mackay Airport airside safety supervisor Norm Burns and Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters.

Mr Waters said the committee was formed to help improve ground handling operations at Mackay Airport.

“Everyone is committed to implementing and maintaining the highest degree of ramp safety and workplace, health and safety standards at the airport,’ he said.

The committee will meet again on April 14.

Passenger traffic soared to new heights with more than 7800 people passing through Mackay Airport during the Easter holiday break.

Operations manager Ray Waters said Mackay Airport was on target to process more than 560 000 people this financial year.

A total of 505 762 people passed through Mackay's award winning airport ternimal during the 2004 calandar year.

Mr Waters said the outstanding growth in passenger throughput was a result of increasing competition between the airlines.

"It's great news for the travelling public," he said."If you shop around you can now fly direct to Brisbane for $29 and Sydney for $59 (plus taxes and charges)."

QantasLink today gave Mackay a preview of the new Bombardier Q4-00 72 seater turboprop aircraft, which is set to join the airline's regional fleet from early next year.

Qantas executive general manager regional airlines Narendra Kumar gives Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard a close up look at the controls of the new Bombardier Q400.

At a function at Mackay Domestic Airport for corporate guests and media today, Qantas Executive General Manager Regional Airlines, Narendra Kumar, said QantasLink would be the first airline in the Southern Hemispher eto fly the Q400.

"This investment marks a new era in regional air travel, with the Bombardier Q400 featuring improved passenger comfort, jet-like speed and lower operating costs,"  Mr Kumar said.

"The Bombardier Q400 also delivers a 44 per cent increase in capacity over QantasLink's existinhg fleet of 50-seat Dash 8-Q300s, as well as offering improved operational efficiency.

"The Q400 can fly at 360 knots, which allows us to reduce flight times and potentially operate additional frequencies on some sectors."

QantasLink will acquire seven of the new Bombardier Q400 aircraft, and has options and purchase rights over an additional 10.

Mr Kumar said the seven new aircraft would cost about A$200million, the largest single investment Qantas had ever made in its regional turboprop fleet.

Last year, the airline acquired seven new Dash 8-Q300 aircraft for more than A$100  million.

QantasLink offers more than 2000 flights each week, serving 50 destinations throughout Australia and employing more than1,000 people.

Today, QantasLink provides mnore than 30 services each week between Mackay and Brisbane, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Cairns.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard hoped the aircraft would be used to service coastal routes via Mackay.

"Hopefully an increase in seating capacity will enable Qantaslink to offer travellers additional low-cost fares on services to Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Brisbane," he said.

The new undercover security carpark at Mackay Airport is now open for business.

Safety officer John Muckelstone positions a "now open" sticker on the undercover security carpark development sign near the entrance to the Mackay terminal.

The 67-bay carpark has lifted general parking to more than 600 spaces.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the undercover carpark was fully automated which enabled motorists to park and remove vehicles at their leisure.

Payment is made by credit card. The carpark currently accepts Mastercard, Visa and Bankcard with American Express and Diner’s Club coming on-line in the near future.

“The new undercover security carpark enables people to leave their cars in a secure facility out of the weather,” he said.

Fees range from $15 a day with discounts for long term parking.

Mr Heard said the MPA acknowledged the need to continue to improve and expand car parking facilities at the airport.

An additional 64 spaces were opened late last year as part of a $2 million carpark expansion program.

Mr Heard said planning was currently underway to further increase parking by 163 spaces. Work on the second stage upgrade was expected to complete by late 2005.

“It’s important we keep pace with the growing number of people taking advantage of budget-priced air fares,” he said.

“Last year more than half a million passenger passed through the Mackay Airport terminal. The airport is expected to process more than 560 000 passenger this financial year.”

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard was one of the keynote speakers to address a forum of local stakeholders during Tourism Week in Mackay today.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard addresses Tourism Week delegates in Mackay.

Mr Heard outlined the Mackay Port Authority’s commitment to tourism through the city’s award winning airport.

Mr Heard said the MPA was committed to fostering development, investment and growth in the Mackay region.

“The MPA has spent more than 17 million dollars to improve services and facilities at Mackay Airport,” he said.

“Marketing, airline rebates, reduction in terminal charges and landing fee caps and price freezes represents a commitment of $2.3 million dollars between 2001 and 2004.

“This year we have earmarked $1.11 million that includes a cash injection of $90 000 to Mackay Tourism Limited, and an estimated $870 000 in airline rebates.

“All up this presents a commitment of $20.7 million from 2001/02.”

Mr Heard also outlined future initiatives such as plans to increase car parking facilities, direct flight from New Zealand, co-operative marketing focusing on the fly-drive market and a proposal to extend the city’s runway.

He said the MPA was also planning to commit and additional $120 000 in the coming months concentrating on the in-bound holiday markets from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

“Our focus will be on short break holidays,” Mr Heard said.

A Brisbane-based consultancy firm has won a $43 000 contract to provide the Mackay Port Authority with options that will transform a vacant parcel of land in Milton Street into a first-class sporting complex.

The Place Design Group has been given just under three months to present the MPA’s Sporting Fields Relocation Community Reference Group (SFRCRG) with a preferred development plan that will offer junior soccer and hockey a new, safer home in Mackay.

Last year, the MPA purchased land adjacent to Leprechaun Park, after acknowledging its duty of care to move the two sports from Barbour Park. The park is situated on the approach path to the city’s main runway.

Reference Group acting chairman and Mackay City Division Nine councillor Kevin Casey said the consultant had undertaken to provide the SFRCRG with a preferred development option report and a preliminary costing of the draft concept by the end of April.

The overall design would examine a variety of areas including the layout of the sports complex, parking, soil and water quality and other issues.

Cr Casey said the reference group was now eagerly awaiting the report.

“The preferred development option will give us a solid base in which to examine the direction the project will take in the future,” he said.

“At the end of the day the project will hinge on soccer and hockey’s ability to secure funding from the State and Federal governments and other sources.”

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said safety was continuing to drive the sports fields relocation project.

“This project will not only provide the two associations with top-class playing fields and modern facilities, but more importantly, give soccer and hockey players a safer environment, away from the approach path to the main runway.

“We have consulted extensively with the community on this issue and I believe the vast majority of people have agreed that the move from Barbour Park to Milton Street will be positive.

“It will also give soccer and hockey the opportunity to expand and plan for the future.”

Two thousand dollars fished out of the barramundi pond “wishing well” at Mackay Airport is helping the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service save lives in the Mackay district.

Proceeds from the pond are shared by CQ Rescue and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mackay Port Authority CEO Greg Mann (left) and CQ Rescue Helicopter Service general manager Phillip Dowler inspect the new purpose-built medical response trolley.

CQ Rescue has used the money to buy a purpose-built medical trolley that’s provisioned with a variety of equipment and medical supplies needed in medivac and trauma cases, such a road accidents and stinger attacks.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the $2000 donation was made possible by the generous support of travellers at Mackay Airport and follows on the heels of more than $2000 recently donated to the tsunami appeal.

“People enjoy tossing a few coins into the pond and making a ‘wish’,” he said. “It just goes to show that every little bit counts.”

Helicopter rescue’s general manager Peter Dowler said the medical trolley enabled the service to have the necessary trauma equipment at its finger-tips.

“In this business the quicker you can get to the scene of an accident the better chance you have to save lives,” Mr Dowler said.

“This trolley is provisioned 24 hours a day and the equipment is ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

Mr Dowler said the rescue helicopter service cost the Mackay community $2.5 million a year to operate. The State Government contributes $900 000.

“The rest of the money comes from donations – in particular weekly contributions from more than 4000 workers in the district,” he said.

Mackay Port Authority workers have contributed almost $10 000 to the rescue helicopter service since August, 1997 through weekly payroll donations.

Travellers and workers at Mackay Airport have given with their hearts to bolster The Daily Mercury Tsunami Relief Appeal to the tune of $1275.

Mackay Port Authority communications manager Colin Wilson said passengers have been shocked by the devastation and despair left in the wake of the killer waves that swamped our northern Asian neighbours on Boxing Day.

The tsunami event -- one of the world’s worst natural disasters – has claimed almost is 150 000 men, women and children -- and left millions homeless.

Mr Wilson said the magnitude of the catastrophe was overwhelming.

“Many travellers have been stopping to talk to security officers about their experiences in some of the worst hit areas such as Phuket in Thailand and in Sri Lanka,” he said.

“These people have experienced the beauty of these countries first hand and have been eager to support the appeal by tossing their “change” into a donation box at the entrance to the security departure lounge.

“Donations have ranged from a few coins to $50 notes,” he said.

The collection has been organised by Group Four security officers at the airport.

Since Saturday, Mackay’s travelling public and airport workers have donated $1275 in a bid to help the APN News and Media appeal reach its $1 million target. The money will be distributed in Sri Lanka by Care Australia.

Mr Wilson said security officers would continue to collect donations up until Friday afternoon.

“We have collected $1275 in five days – people are still giving generously – so the tally could easily reach $2000 by the end of the week,” he said.

Competition -- fuelled by budget-priced air fares -- has helped Mackay Airport achieve a passenger milestone, with more than half a million people passing through the city’s airport last year.

Mackay Airport processed 505 762 passengers last year – an increase of 26.5 per cent on the previous year.

The airport is operated by the Mackay Port Authority.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said Mackay Airport was on target to handle a record 575 000 passengers this financial year.

“Passenger growth in Mackay has been outstanding – considering three years ago the airport was struggling to process 270 000 passengers,” Mr Heard said.

“It once again reinforces that affordable air fares increase air travel. People who previously travelled by coach, car or by rail, or decided not to travel at all because it was too expensive, are now flying.”    

“The boom in air travel is directly linked to the introduction of Virgin Blue in November 2001 and that’s accelerated again since Jetstar started operating in May last year. There have been consistent increases of more than 20 per cent over the past three years.”

“It is difficult to benchmark airports – but the Sunshine Coast Airport, that has a bigger catchment area than Mackay and is a bigger player when it comes to tourism, also broke the half a million passenger barrier last year.”

Mr Heard said the Mackay Port Authority was continuing to negotiate with the major airlines in a bid to attract new services.

Mr Heard was hopeful Jetstar would introduce a daily direct service to Sydney by Easter. The airline currently operates four services to Sydney a week.

A direct Mackay-Melbourne service was also on the radar.

“We also haven’t given up on a direct Mackay-Auckland service,” he said.

Passenger stats for Mackay.

2001 – 269 598
2002 – 332 097 --- increase of 23.2 per cent
2003 – 399 877 --  20.4 per cent 
2004 – 505 762 –   26.5 per cent.

The new undercover security carpark at Mackay Airport is expected to be open for business by the end of January.

The 67 bay facility will lift secure and public car parking spaces to more than 500.

Until the official opening, the security carpark will be open to the public free-of-charge.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard said during this period the MPA was inviting the community to inspect and use the undercover facility.

The MPA has spent more than $2 million over the past year improving car parking facilities.

Parking will be further increased by 163 spaces in early 2005, as the MPA embarks on another expansion program in a bid to meet growing demand.

More information on the new undercover security carpark is available by contacting Mackay Airport on 49 570201.

Festive air travellers are being encouraged to safely store Christmas presents in their check-in luggage, or risk losing them, under strict security screening regulations at Mackay Airport.

About 50 000 passengers are expected to pass through the city’s busy airport in December.

Mackay Port Authority (MPA) communications manager Colin Wilson said sharp objects such as knives, nail files, scissors and cork screws would be confiscated if people attempted to carry the “presents” in carry-on luggage.

“It’s disappointing and distressing for people to surrender these items at the security screening check points – especially if they have been purchased as Christmas presents,” Mr Wilson said.

“My best advice is for passengers to place these items in their check-in luggage that’s stored in the hold of the aircraft.”

Mr Wilson said security officers seized dozens of prohibited items, such as knives and nail files each week.

“The airlines provide passengers with a detailed list of prohibited items with their boarding pass. I can only encourage people to read this information,” he said.

Virgin Blue’s new 6.10 service jetted into Brisbane this morning with only 17 spare seats.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the MPA and Virgin were delighted by the public response.

The airport fire service bids the new Virgin service farewell

The Virgin service replaces the 6 a.m. Qantas flight that fell by the way side with the introduction of the airline’s new budget carrier Jetstar.

“We are very happy with the loading and if this morning is any indication the service will be an outstanding success,” Mr Mann said.

Mackay Mayor Julie Boyd was one of 127 passengers, who touched down in Brisbane at 730 this morning.

The 610 service was made possible thanks to a $75 000 marketing package provided by the MPA, Mackay City Council and the chamber of commerce.

Mr Mann said this morning’s flight contained a good mix of business and leisure passengers.

“The business community has been crying out for the reintroduction of the early bird service,” he said.

“It allows people to do business in Brisbane in one day without having to incur the additional expense of overnight accommodation.”

Mr Mann hoped the community would continue to support the service.

More than 200 pairs scissors seized by security at Mackay Airport will soon be put to good use at two local primary schools.

The Mackay Port Authority has donated the scissors and 250 nail files to the Slade Point and Central State schools.

Slade Point State School principal Peter Mandryk, Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor and Central State School principal Christine Wilson, display some of the scissors donated to the two schools.

The scissors and nail files are among hundreds of prohibited items surrendered by passengers at the security check point at the airport departure lounge each year.

Items such as knives, letter openers, scissors, nail files, needles and razor blades are not permitted in carry on luggage. The airlines provide passengers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the schools have welcomed the scissors and nail files with open arms.

The scissors will be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before finding their way into classrooms.

“It’s great the schools can use them – rather than us tossing them out,” Mr Taylor said.

Slade Point State School principal Peter Mandryk said the schools had a couple of creative ideas for the nail files.

“A number of mums will be very happy come May,” he said.

Mr Taylor said the items would be donated to different schools each year.

Speech to parliament by Tim Mulherin MP Member for Mackay

On Thursday, October 28, I had the privilege to attend the Daniel Morcombe poster campaign launch at Mackay Airport.

14 year-old Daniel Morcombe’s disappearance from a Sunshine Coast bus stop near Maroochydore on December 7th last year continues to be an unsolved mystery that haunts his family, friends and communities throughout Queensland.
Yet Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe present an extraordinary example of strength and courage in the face of what has to be one of the most devastating and heartbreaking experiences.

It is hoped that the poster campaign, which is an initiative of the Mackay Port Authority, will help solve this mystery, and bring some peace to the Morcombes.
The campaign has been embraced not only by the Mackay community, but also the city of Cairns and it’s Port Authority.

By joining forces with the Queensland Police Service, the Mackay and Cairns Port Authorities are participating in a ground-breaking project that is raising the awareness of, and encouraging communities to be proactive in responding to situations like Daniel’s.

It was wonderful to see Mr and Mrs Morcombe attend the poster campaign launch, courtesy of Virgin Blue airlines, offering many thanks for the tremendous support the project received on a corporate, community and media basis.
They were also hopeful about the positive results a project of this magnitude could afford.

Mr Morcombe was reported as stating in a news article that appeared in the Daily Mercury the following day - Friday, October 29 that the poster campaign would make a difference not only in Daniel’s case, but perhaps in saving a kid in a similar situation - as a warning, or a deterrent to someone who would consider going down the same unsavoury path.

The placement of information and reward posters at the Mackay and Cairns airports has already generated enormous media coverage and public interest.
It is hoped that the campaign will impact on the influx of holiday makers passing through the Mackay Airport during the upcoming Christmas holidays.

I take this time to pay tribute to Col Wilson – Communications Manager of the Mackay Port Authority, who worked tirelessly to co-ordinate the project. Col is a dedicated member of the Mackay community whose professionalism and community spirit are regarded as an asset to our city.I thank Col, the Mackay Port Authority, the Queensland Police Service, Virgin Blue airlines, and everyone involved in helping the campaign get off the ground.

I would also like to advise that a special memorial service will be held for Daniel on Tuesday, December 7th at St Catherine’s of Sienna church on the Siena College School grounds at Sippy Downs. Let us all turn our thoughts towards the Morcombe family on this day.

FOOTNOTE: Channel Seven will screen a special documentary on Daniel's disappearance at 630 tonight.

Barry Dunn wasn’t looking forward to celebrating his 66th birthday today – despite travelling from Central Queensland to have a few beers with his long-lost mates in Sydney.

Barry – a gold trader and shop owner in the mining town of Clermont, south west of Mackay -- was down in the dumps.

“I don’t know how I could be so careless?” he told his wife at breakfast this morning.

He was retracing his steps over the past 24 hours when the words “Mackay”, “gold” and “airport” boomed out of the radio.

“You little beauty – they’ve bloody found it,” he said. “I’ll buy them all a beer when I get back home”.

Barry was referring to a 4 oz gold nugget he’d “lost” between Mackay and Sydney yesterday.

The $2000 nugget surfaced in a plastic tray that had just been scanned by a security x-ray machine at Mackay Airport. Security officers were shocked when no-one claimed the precious rock.

The news bulletin quickly had Barry dialing Mackay Airport this morning.

“I can’t believe someone’s found it. I thought I’d lost it on the plane – or it had fallen out of my pocket,” an elated Barry Dunn told Mackay Port Authority communications manager Colin Wilson.

Barry recounted how he had emptied his pockets into a plastic tray and entered the security departure area at Mackay Airport.

“As I went to pick the stuff up my mobile phone rang. I was talking on the phone holding the mobile with one hand and putting all the items in my pocket with the other,” he said.

“Apparently I must have left it in the corner of the tray. Afterwards, when I was thinking back – how could a person be so stupid to leave it in the tray?”

Mr Dunn had only purchased the nugget from a local prospector in Clermont that morning and was taking it to Sydney to show his mates

He now plans to celebrate the good news with a few beers and a slice of birthday cake with his friends this evening.

“I’d just like to say thank you to the security staff at the airport,” Barry said. “Tell them it’s my shout when I get home. It has really made my day.”

Barry’s on holiday at the moment and will have to wait until November 30 to slip the nugget back into his pocket.

“But, the wife reckons she’ll look after it from now on,” he said.

Security officers couldn’t believe their eyes when a gold nugget surfaced during a security x-ray baggage check at Mackay’s busy airport yesterday.

The Group 4 officers were even more shocked when nobody claimed the precious rock.

Group 4 shift supervisor Paul Motteram with a gold nugget found at Mackay Airport.

Mackay Port Authority communications manager Colin Wilson said the hunt was now on for the owner.

“We are checking security footage and hopefully something will show up,” he said.

The nugget – weighing about 4 ozs – was discovered as security officers collected a stack of plastic trays that had just been processed through a security x-ray machine.

“It appears the owner has emptied his pockets and somehow failed to collect the valuable rock with the rest of his items.” Mr Wilson said.

The incident happened just after 3 p.m. as passengers were filing into the security departure lounge – waiting to board the afternoon Virgin Blue and Jetstar services to Brisbane.

“You would think someone would have discovered it missing by now,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson the incident highlighted the honesty and integrity of the security staff working at Mackay Airport.

The Mackay Port Authority has replaced a circuit breaker that protects the main runway lights, after a safety switch “tripped” blacking out the runway on Saturday night.

Technicians today installed the new circuit breaker, despite the airport lighting system crossing over to a new digital system on Wednesday.

Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters said the MPA was spending more than $100 000 replacing and updating the airport lighting control system.

“Our technicians have conducted extensive tests on the circuitry since this incident on Saturday night. All we can say is the circuit breaker tripped and cut the power to the main runway lights,” Mr Waters said.

“Voltage readings and tests have been undertaken on the main control circuit and the runway field circuit – the readings were all within limits.

“It is possible that the system was hit by a power surge or voltage spike but we have no concrete evidence to support this.

“Safety is paramount at the airport. We don’t know why the circuit breaker cut in so we have elected to install a new ‘breaker’ as a precaution.”

The circuit breaker will be made obsolete when a new digital, airport lighting control system comes on line on Wednesday.

Mr Waters said the incident prompted the pilot of a Jetstar service into Mackay on Saturday night to engage in a holding pattern for about 15 minutes while portable battery-powered lights were placed on the runway.

Flight 846 was delayed nine minutes by the incident.

Electricians will conduct more diagnostic test tomorrow in a bid to determine what tripped a circuit breaker that protects the main runway lights at Mackay Airport.

The runway lights blacked out just after 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A Jetstar passenger jet was kept on a holding pattern for about 15 minutes while airport security staff and emergency services positioned portable battery-powered lighting along the runway.

The aircraft made an incident-free landing at 7.30 p.m.

Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters said technicians conducted a detailed examination of the circuitry on Saturday night and again today.

“All we can really say at this stage is that the circuit breaker tripped and blackout out the runway lights,” he said.

“It’s unclear if the fault was linked to a power spike or surge. The breaker was reset and tested on the night and on Sunday. Everything is working normally.

 “This to my knowledge has never happened before.”

Mr Waters said the Mackay Port Authority and Airservices Australia have been undertaking a major upgrade of the interface between the airport lighting and the tower control over the past two years.

A cross over to a new digital system is expected to be completed on Wednesday.

Mr Waters said Jetstar Flight 846 touched down nine minutes late on Saturday night. The service left Mackay using normal runway lighting at 8.08 p.m. – 13 minutes behind schedule.

An additional 44 bays in the new $2.3 million airport car park expansion program are now open to the public.

More public spaces will come on line next month with the completion of the 67-bay undercover security car park.

The security car park is expected to be open on December 13.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the MPA Board would consider further plans to progress onto stage two of the car park redevelopment program in the New Year.

“I’m certain these new facilities will be welcomed by the community,” he said.

“The MPA is mindful that people on occasions are having trouble finding parking spaces.

“The airport is experiencing unprecedented growth – with more than 575 000 passengers expected to pass through the airport terminal this financial year.

“It is important that our parking facilities keep pace with this growth.”

An additional 160 car parking bays opened earlier this year – and by Christmas another 130 security and public parking bays would be available.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said parking fees for the new undercover security car park would start at $15 a day. The fee would be discounted for extended stays. After the first week motorists would pay a flat $10 a day.

The MPA was committed to providing the community with free short stay unsecured parking at the airport.

The distraught parents of missing Sunshine Coast school boy Daniel Morcombe are hoping Queensland airport operators will embrace a poster campaign launched at Mackay Airport today.

Mackay Port Authority has joined forces with the Queensland Police Service and the Morcombe family in seeking information that could shed new light on Daniel’s disappearance.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe were in Mackay this morning to launch the MPA initiative. It involves information and reward posters being displayed at Queensland’s two Government-owned airports in Mackay and Cairns. More than four million passengers are expected to pass through the two airports this financial year.

Daniel’s father Bruce Morcombe is appealing to airport operators throughout Queensland and inter-State to take up the challenge and join the campaign.

“It’s fantastic the Mackay Port Authority and the Cairns Port Authority have joined the fight,” he said. ”Our family appreciates this support and hopes other airports might follow this initiative in the lead up to the busy Christmas school holidays.

“We hope that this continual wave of public pressure brings forward some courageous person who can provide information or a name that solves this horror of a crime.”

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Morcombe was last seen waiting at a bus stop on the Nambour-Connection Road under the Kiel Mountain Road overpass, just north of the “Big Pineapple” on the Sunshine Coast on December 7 last year.

Police fear the boy has been abducted and murdered.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said communities throughout Queensland, including Mackay, have been deeply touched by the grief and mystery surrounding Daniel’s disappearance.

“You see the family suffering -- you just feel so helpless,” Mr Taylor said. “The poster campaign is the community’s way of showing support for the Morcombes and the on-going police investigation.

“This financial year almost 600 000 passengers will pass through the Mackay Airport terminal – in Cairns that figure will top 3.5 million. Southern tourists use Mackay Airport as the gateway to the Whitsundays. Seeing Daniel’s face on a poster could jog someone’s memory or challenge someone’s conscience. It’s a long shot but sometimes the smallest piece of information can lead to a major break through.”

The Queensland Government has offered a record $250 000 reward for information into Daniel’s disappearance. The reward could also lead to a possible indemnity from prosecution.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1 800 333 000.

Parking at Mackay’s award-winning airport will soon be made easier with an additional 130 public and security spaces coming on line in the run up to the busy festive season.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the Mackay Port Authority had invested more than $2 million in additional car parking facilities over the past 12 months. An extra 160 spaces opened earlier this year.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard and operations manager Ray Waters examine site plans for the new security car park

Mr Heard said growth in passenger numbers had accelerated the need to expand car parking facilities at the airport.

More than 575 000 passengers are expected to pass through the Mackay Airport terminal this financial year – an increase of about 30 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Heard said contractors had almost completed work on the new public car park. The car park was expected to be open to visitors early next month.

“At this stage, the new secure facilities will come on line in December.” he said. “The security car park will be fully automated with visitors using credit cards to obtain access and pay for parking. We are also looking at other options.”

Undercover security parking fees will be $15 per day, with discounted rates for longer stays, reducing to $12 a day for long stays of a week or more.

MPA chairman John Taylor said public car parking would remain free of charge.

Mr Taylor said the Board had resisted national trends to charge the community for public car parking.
He said the Board would today (Friday) examine a proposal to further expand public car parking facilities at the airport.

“It’s important we keep pace with passenger growth at the airport,” Mr Taylor said.

The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) has been successful in negotiating the reintroduction of an ‘early bird’ passenger service between Mackay and Brisbane.

Virginblue today announced it would start the new 6.10 a.m. service on November 26.

Virgin's new 'early bird' service receives the big thumbs up from Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor, Virginblue fight attendant Bree Cahill, Transport Minister Paul Lucas and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the service would be welcomed with open arms by business and leisure travellers.

The service will generate about 2000 extra seats each week into and out of Mackay – that’s 40 000 more visitors to our region each year.

“Cheaper fares, once again stimulated by competition, are giving people in the Mackay community a better quality of life through additional and affordable options -- whether it’s to go to sporting events, seek specialist medical care, visiting family and friends or going on holidays,” Mr Taylor said.

The new service will depart Mackay at 6.10 a.m. and arrive in Brisbane at 7.30 a.m. The additional evening flight will leave Brisbane at 7.15 p.m. and arrive in Mackay at 8.45 p.m.

Virgin’s decision to commit to the 6.10 a.m. flight follows months of negotiations with the MPA and the added bonus of a $75 000 marketing and incentive package offered to all airlines last week.

“The package was offered to Qantas, Jetstar and Virginblue,” Mr Taylor said.

“I’m pleased to say Virgin has jumped at the opportunity to introduce the early morning service.”

Mackay City Council has committed $50 000 to the marketing package. The MPA and the Mackay Chamber of Commerce will add a further $25 000.

“The Mackay Port Authority and the Mackay City Council are committed to boosting investment and employment opportunities in the region,” Mr Taylor said.

“In partnership we have an opportunity to attract as many visitors to Mackay as possible -- whether they are on holidays or on business or visiting friends and relatives in order to showcase our region.
“This will lead to additional investment and development of the Mackay Region as has happened in places like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Whitsundays”.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the early morning service would open connecting services and fares to and from new destinations such as Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji and Vila.

“It provides more connecting services to destinations which have through fares available such as Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,” he said.

“The new services are a response to community demand for a reinstatement of the early morning and late evening overnight service.

“Virgin Blue has made it clear that the new services are a trial and the continuation will depend on community support of both services and the Virgin Blue morning and afternoon services.

“There are also direct and immediate economic benefits for Mackay with 12 crew requiring meals and accommodation in Mackay.

The MPA has injected more than $1.5 million since 2001 into airline incentive and rebate programs and extensive marketing campaigns.

More than 550 000 passengers are expected to pass through the Mackay Airport this year – an increase of 104 per cent in only three years. The new services have the potential to add another 80 000 passengers a year.

In August alone 49 000 passengers passed through Mackay Airport. Last week the total jumped to 11 300.

The Mackay Port Authority would like to especially thank the Mackay City Council, Mackay Chamber of Commerce and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin for their support throughout the campaign to have these services reinstated.

The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) and Mackay City Council have joined forces with the business community to entice a major airline to resume an early morning passenger service.

Mackay City Council yesterday agreed to back an incentive package to the tune of $50 000.

The money will be directed at marketing and will be bolstered by an additional $25 000 commitment from the MPA and the Mackay Chamber of Commerce.

The MPA has sweetened the package with an attractive rebate incentive. Details are still being finalised.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor and Mackay Mayor Julie Boyd said the “deal” would be offered to the major airlines currently servicing Mackay – Virginblue, Jetstar and Qantas.

“We have had on-going talks with the airlines in a bid to attract renewed interest in the early morning Mackay-Brisbane service,” Mr Taylor said.

“Virginblue and Jetstar have stated that they would require a commitment from the community before making a final decision on an ‘early bird’ service.

“The MPA, Mackay City Council and the chamber of commerce have put that commitment forward in cold hard cash.  A $75 000 offer -- directed at marketing -- is now on the table. The matter is now in the airlines’ court.”

Cr Boyd said councillors recognised the benefits that would flow to the community.

“The business community has been crying out for an early morning service since Qantas withdrew from the 6 a.m. in May and replaced it with an 8 a.m. Jetstar service,” Cr Boyd said.

“Unfortunately, this flight doesn’t get into Brisbane until 930 – forcing many people to fly down overnight, and incur additional accommodation expenses, if they are to meet early morning deadlines.

‘This includes people seeking medical and specialist treatment. This new service will also be great news for people on a tight time schedule who just want to come to Mackay to visit friends and family. 

“Darryl Camilleri from the Mackay Chamber of Commerce has already secured support from his members and is speaking with Bowen Basin coal companies to secure further support for the early bird service.”

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin has also been strongly lobbying for the reinstatement of the 6 a.m. Brisbane service.

Mr Mulherin congratulated the council, chamber of commerce and the MPA on a decision to jointly fund the marketing incentive package.

“I’m certain it will be supported by the community and will have the positive effect of injecting additional competition into the domestic airline market,” he said.

“This also will have the potential to make airline travel even more affordable for the Mackay community.”

Allan Young has been elected chairman of the Mackay Port Authority’s Sports Field Relocation Consultative Committee.

Mr Young – executive officer of the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation – was elected to chair the group at the inaugural meeting of the committee held at Mackay Airport yesterday.

The committee comprises: Mauro Giannangelo and Ray Geraghty (soccer); Val McCubben and Greg Clutton (hockey); Member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin; Cr James Bidgood and Cr Kevin Casey (Division Nine Mackay City Council); Col Meng (Mackay Stadium Committee); Lindsay Saunders (Editor, The Daily Mercury); Greg Cannon and Stephen Dendle (Department of Sports and Recreation);  Michael Fowke (Department of Natural Resources); and MPA chairman, John Taylor, chief executive officer Greg Mann, Airport general manager Trevor Heard and communications manager Colin Wilson.

Mackay Port Authority (MPA) chairman John Taylor said the committee comprised a solid cross-section of people representing soccer, hockey, the business community, local government and government agencies.

Last month, the MPA released a discussion document seeking community feedback on plans to relocate soccer and hockey at Barbour Park, to a new, safer home at the southern end of Milton Street.

Mr Taylor said public safety issues were driving the move.

“The sports fields are on the approach path to the main runway,” he said. “We are seeking to replace the fields with a public safety zone as part of our ‘duty of care’ to the community.”

Mr Taylor said the proposed move from Barbour Park had attracted strong support from the hockey and soccer communities.

“We still have a long way to go – and must work through a number of issues including the layout of the sports complex, funding and infrastructure requirements,” he said.

“It’s important the community drives this agenda and the formation of the consultative committee is an important step in this whole relocation process.”

The Mackay Port Authority is seeking more information to determine if security cameras at the city’s busy airport can be linked to Mackay police station.

The Federal Government has announced a $48 million package to improve security at Australia’s 146 regional airports.

Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters examines camera images of the main carpark.

Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters said $3.3 million dollars had been set aside in the Securing our Regional Skies offensive to undertake trials linked to airport Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security.

“The MPA is still seeking clarification but I understand that there could be funding available to link our current network to the Office of Transport Security Operations Centre,” he said.

“The vision could then be monitored on a 24 hour basis at Mackay police station or be made available to other appropriate agencies.”

Mr Waters said more than $250 000 had recently been spent on upgrading the CCTV coverage at the airport.

The MPA had injected more than a million dollars over the past two years improving airport security.

Another key part of the Federal Government’s aviation security initiative has been directed at establishing rapid deployment teams to counter potential terrorist threats at airports.

Mr Waters had hoped at least one of the four teams would have been based in a regional city such as Mackay, rather than in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

“Mackay is centrally located and would have been an ideal regional port for a rapid deployment team,” he said.

“Mackay is on the doorstep to the mineral rich Bowen Basin. The region has extensive mining infrastructure and growing communities that are serviced by a host of smaller airports such as Emerald, Dysart, Proserpine, Bowen, Rockhampton and Gladstone,” he said.

Mr Waters said the Federal Government’s Securing Our Regional Skies program was a positive initiative that would be particularly welcomed by smaller regional airports.

Thirty-four children from Eimeo Road State Pre-School enjoyed an exciting visit to Mackay Airport. The visit was part of the youngster's introduction to transport activities

Children from the pre-school's Starfish and Turtle units were given a close-up look at a Virginblue 737 passenger jet on the tarmac.

A close-up look at a Virginblue 737 Passenger Jet.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators have launched a probe into an incident in which a passenger jet made a precautionary landing at Mackay Airport on Monday evening.

Passengers begin to emerge from the aircraft after it made a safe touch down at Mackay Airport.

The Jetstar 717 aircraft – carrying 50 passengers and a crew of six -- was on descent to Hamilton Island, about 20 nautical miles south of Mackay.

A Jetstar spokesman said the crew detected an acrid smell in the cabin. The pilot elected to divert the aircraft to Mackay.

The aircraft made a safe landing at 5.12 p.m.

No-one was injured and investigations are continuing.

The Mackay Port Authority and the Department of State Development and Innovation are joining forces to give regional councils and tourism groups a voice at the Queensland Mining Exhibition.

Inspecting the Mackay Port Authority display at the QME are (from left) Kevin McCulloch of Nixon Communications and Bruce Jeffrey from Icom Australia.

Seven of the region’s nine councils will be represented. Tourism Mackay, Tourism Whitsunday and the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation were  invited to participate in the regional display.

Whitsunday Hinterland and Mackay Bowen Regional Organisation of Councils executive officer Peter Sherlock said the exposure would allow the councils to showcase their backyard in terms of lifestyle, investment and development.

“It’s an opportunity many of these councils would have missed because of the cost involved in participating in an exhibition of this size and nature,” he said.

Mackay Port Authority communications manager Colin Wilson said the MPA was keen to lift the profile of its harbourside industrial estate and other development opportunities available at Mackay Airport.

Generous build/lease terms are available in stage one with fully serviced blocks ranging from 4155 sqm.

The industrial estate is strategically placed on the doorstep of a deepwater port – serviced by rail and road transport infrastructure.

A boost in demand has the MPA now focusing on stage two of the estate. More information is available by contacting the MPA’s corporate services manager Bernie Scott on 07 47588120 or email [email protected]   

The Queensland Mining Exhibition will run from Tuesday, July 27 to Thursday, July 29.

The exhibition includes more than 450 displays from local, Queensland, national and international companies.

Low-cost carrier Jetstar has started directed flights between Sydney and Mackay.

The first passengers touched down in Mackay on Wednesday, July 21.

The aircraft was given a “water guard of honour” by the airport’s fire engines.

The service will operate into Mackay on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of each week.

The inaugural flight was a special home-coming for former Mackay woman Robyn Giddins. Robyn works as a flight attendant with Jetstar and is now based in Sydney.

She said passengers had a smooth trip north with many taking a nap during the two hour flight that touched down 10 minutes early.

The Mackay Port Authority has offered Jetstar special incentives and rebates to open the Sydney-Mackay route. Similar rebates have been offered to budget carrier Virginblue.

Tourism officials are confident the new direct Sydney service will be a big hit with leisure and business travellers.

Holidaymakers are expected to use the direct service into Mackay as a stepping stone to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday island tourist resorts.

Meantime, the Mackay Port Authority is currently continuing discussions with Virginblue on a Trans Tasman service. The MPA hopes Virgin will introduce a weekly Auckland-Mackay flight by the middle of next year.

Mackay’s soccer and hockey associations are examining a proposal that could give more than 3000 players a new home.

The Mackay Port Authority has released a discussion paper outlining plans to relocate the two sports from Barbour Park to a modern new complex off Milton Street.

Barbour Park is owned by the State Government.

The MPA – owner of Mackay Airport -- wants to transform the Barbour Park sports fields into a runway safety zone.

Inspecting the Barbour Park sporting fields relocation discussion paper are (from left) Mackay Hockey Association secretary Val McCubben, Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor and president of the Mackay Junior Soccer Association Mauro Giannangelo.

The relocation concept already has attracted the support of Mackay Junior Soccer Association president Mauro Giannangelo.

“It an exciting proposal and I’m looking forward to working with the MPA, hockey and other groups to further develop this project,” he said.

“We have recognised for some time the limitations of Barbour Park. This proposal will give our sport an opportunity to expand and prosper.

“It’s early days yet, but we want to know more.”

Mr Giannangelo said the association’s executive would closely examine the relocation proposal over the new few weeks and make submissions.

He said the soccer association looked forward to securing a seat on the community consultative committee that would help drive the project.

President of the Mackay Hockey Association Lawry Denney said the executive was currently examining the proposal.

“It’s a very interesting proposal and I’m pleased the hockey association has been approached over the relocation project,” he said.

“I see our overall involvement being driven by two considerations.

“Firstly, full support and consultation throughout the entire hockey community and secondly, the financial requirements of the project and our capacity to attract funding assistance.

Mr Denney said the hockey association would need to examine the relocation document in detail before making further comment.

The Mackay Port Authority is seeking community support in developing a top class sports complex that will give hockey and soccer a safer new home in Mackay.

The MPA has started the ball rolling with the purchase of a large parcel of land off Milton Street.

A community discussion paper has been prepared and negotiations have now been initiated with the Mackay Hockey Association and the Mackay Junior Soccer Association.

The soccer and hockey fields are positioned on the flight path to Mackay's main runway.

Public safety issues are dominating debate on the proposal to relocate soccer and hockey from Barbour Park.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the MPA was seeking to replace the Barbour Park sports fields with a Public Safety Zone.

“The State Government has introduced legislation that requires public safety zones to be established from the threshold of all new runways when new developments are undertaken or international services commence,” Mr Taylor said. “The safety zone can vary in distance from 500 metres to a kilometre.

“The MPA as the operator and owner of Mackay Airport acknowledges it has a duty of care to establish a safety buffer on the approach path to the main runway. Our main runway is adjacent to the Barbour Park soccer and hockey fields.”

Mr Taylor said studies have shown that the majority of aircraft incidents occurred during landing and take-off.

“Close examination of aircraft accidents reported to the International Civil Aviation Organisation since 1970 suggests most of these accidents occur within a thousand metres before the runway on arrival and 500 metres beyond the runway on departure,” he said.

Mr Taylor said Mackay Airport was experiencing unprecedented growth and was clearly one of the busiest regional airports in Australia with more than 40 000 private and commuter aircraft using the airport each year.

The city now boasted 56 passenger services a week with the figure set to rise with the introduction of direct Sydney-Mackay services later this month and plans for direct Auckland-Mackay flights next year.

“Safety has always been paramount. We are aware of our legislative responsibilities and recognise the duty of care that’s required to operate a busy airport in a safe manner,” Mr Taylor said.

“Safety is driving this agenda to relocate hockey and soccer away from the flight path approach to the main runway. All parties involved, including the city council, soccer and hockey have a responsibility to provide a safe environment.”

Mr Taylor said the relocation project should provide the two associations with top class playing fields and facilities. It would allow the groups to expand and plan for the future.

Safe car parking facilities formed a key component of the proposal.

Mr Taylor said the MPA was now seeking public input and feedback on the proposal to relocate soccer and hockey to a new home in Milton Street.

Plans were also underway to establish a community consultative committee to assist in the planning phase of the project.

“I hope the community will eventually take ownership of this project and develop the Milton Street site into a top class sports complex that will cater for a variety of sports into the future,” Mr Taylor said.

Grey skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of passengers and airline staff when Jetstar’s first Brisbane-Mackay service landed at 7.35 this morning.

The Mackay service was included in Jetstar’s official launch with flights to 13 eastern seaboard destinations including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart.

Jetstar’s ‘inaugural flight’ (JQ371) departed from Newcastle, the airline’s engineering base, for Melbourne – the home of Jetstar.

The first Jetstar flight arrives in Mackay.

Passengers on the first flight were greeted upon its arrival at Melbourne Airport by Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce, Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Dixon, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and one of Australia’s most popular entertainers, Magda Szubanski.

Jetstar CEO, Alan Joyce, said Jetstar’s arrival would further stimulate domestic air travel within Australia through the accessibility of low fares to many leisure and commercial destinations.

 “Jetstar is committed to offering every day affordable airfares to encourage Australians and overseas visitors to fly more often,” Mr Joyce said.

“Since the launch of Jetstar’s fares and route network in February, the airline has sold over 250,000 one way fares at less than $100.

“This demonstrates our ability not only to commit to headline prices, but to make these fares accessible to more customers on more flights. Jetstar’s aim is to also bring affordable air travel to all Australians, in particular the non capital city and regional markets we will service.

“Our business model is built on the sustainable and continued delivery of such every day low fares spread across all routes flown.”

Jetstar’s starting fares, which can be purchased directly at jetstar.com from $65 one way, apply to routes such as Sydney-Gold Coast, Melbourne-Hobart and Brisbane-Rockhampton. Other Jetstar online fares start from $75 one way for Sydney-Sunshine Coast, $85 one way for Brisbane-Mackay and $115 one way Melbourne-Gold Coast. An additional $2 per flight applies to fares paid by credit card and flights booked by telephone (13 15 38) are $10 extra.

Mr Joyce said the vast scope of Jetstar’s launch from 13 airports was a testimony to the airline’s 900 staff and associated suppliers who had demonstrated their energy and commitment to the airline.

Jetstar will operate 610 return flights during its first week, including 86 return services on the 25 May launch day alone. The airline fleet will initially comprise 14 Boeing 717 aircraft, seat configured for 125 passengers.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar’s move towards introducing the A320 into its fleet from July was progressing well.

“The first A320 aircraft will be delivered to Jetstar next month and will be integrated into our route network by late July”, he said.

Mr Joyce said the introduction of the A320, with all-leather slim line seating configured in single class for 177 passengers, would provide further enhancements to Jetstar’s in-flight service.

Jetstar’s Sydney operations will be based in the T2 terminal at Sydney Airport, and from dedicated gates in the Brisbane Airport domestic terminal. Hobart services will be sited at the International Terminal at Hobart Airport.

Jetstar's commercial head Bruce Buchanan officially launched the low-cost carrier's new uniforms in Mackay today.

Mr Buchanan and other executives are in Mackay over the next two days to give the community a preview of what the airline has to offer.

A special display is being held in the Mackay City Council car park.

While in Mackay, Mr Buchanan will meet with community leaders, travel agents, tourism officials and local staff.

Jetstar officially "jets" into Mackay on May 25.

Showing off the new Jetstar colours is fight attendant Rochelle Laurenson with Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard and Jetstar's Bruce Buchanan.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard jets out of Mackay tomorrow for an international airport conference in Guam.

Mackay Airport manager Trevor Heard examines the Guam itinerary with airport co-ordinator Ray Waters.

The six day conference will be attended more than 400 delegates representing airports around the world.

The 2004 Asia Pacific Airport Conference will have a special focus on low cost carriers and their impact on a global market.

The conference has been divided in seven sessions focusing on a range of issues including airport privatization, sustainable transport and the liberalization of the industry.

Mr Heard said it would be a good opportunity to discuss common issues impacting on airports in the wake of the SARS outbreak and September 11.

“I suspect security will be a hot topic,” he said.

Qantas’ new low cost-carrier Jetstar touched down on a promotional tour to Mackay this afternoon.

Jetstar Captain Sean Wallace and Frst Officer Bruce Terry
arrive in Mackay today.

Key Jetstar executives will give a special presentation to major customers, travel agents, tourism officials and local staff tomorrow.

Jetstar will begin operations in Mackay on May 25. The budget priced airline’s first passenger carrying flight will depart Brisbane at 6.10 a.m. and will arrive in Mackay at 7.35 a.m.

Jetstar's launch includes three return services a day to Mackay. The airline will expand its Mackay presence with a direct Sydney-Mackay service in mid July.

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.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas today inspected Mackay’s airport and harbour facilities as part of a two day visit to the region.

Inspecting the barra pond at Mackay Airport are (from left) Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas and Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor.

Mr Lucas was taken on a tour of the city’s award winning airport by Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor, CEO Greg Mann and airport general manager Trevor Heard.

Mackay Airport was judged the best regional airport in Australia in 2002.

Mr Taylor said it was a good opportunity to brief the Minister on the ports’ operations, in particular the impact Qantas’ new low-cost carrier Jetstar would have on passenger throughput and airport facilities.

Jetstar will start services to Mackay on May 25. The budget-priced carrier will introduce four direct services a week between Sydney and Mackay in mid July.

Mr Taylor said the decision by Virginblue and Jetstar to introduce larger aircraft on the Mackay-Brisbane route would offer the city an additional 3000 seats a week.

This financial year more than 430 000 people are expected to pass through the airport.
 
Mr Lucas also inspected the seaport and discussed proposed developments on MPA controlled land.

The Minister discussed a number of  port-related issues with the MPA  Board over lunch before representing the Premier at the official opening of United Goninan’s electrical workshop at Paget.

Mr Lucas’ busy two day schedule also includes inspections of the Hospital and Forgan bridges, discussions on a number of local projects with Mr Mulherin and Mackay’s Mayor Julie Boyd and a tour of the MSQ Reefcentre and Port of Hay Point.

The Mackay Port Authority is appealing to people not to fly kites in the vicinity of the airport, after youngsters unwittingly put security officers on alert this week.

Air traffic controllers called in airport security after spotting a kite in the flight path of a helicopter, preparing to land on Runway 14 near the Bridge Road hockey fields on Monday afternoon.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the helicopter landed safely, but the incident highlighted the potential dangers kites could pose to aircraft.

 “There have been cases overseas where kites have tangled with aircraft, including helicopters and passenger jets,” he said.

“Kites have the potential to break windscreens and damage engines after being sucked into the turbines. This could easily bring down a plane.

“The danger is very real and we are appealing to people to fly their kites away from the airport area.”

Mr Heard said Monday’s incident was far from an isolated case.

“A little while ago we had an incident in which a person flying a box kite elected to tie the kite controls to a caravan and went into town shopping,” he said.

“The kite was left flying about 100 metres off the ground in the flight path of Runway 23.”

Meantime, Peter Gibson from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has echoed the MPA's concerns.

“In Mackay you have a situation where you have a beach and a playing field on the approaches to two busy runways,” he said.

“All I can do is urge people to go elsewhere. The potential for a serious incident is always there – even though I wouldn’t describe it as a high risk.

“What we are about is eliminating all possible risks and this is one that doesn’t need to be there so I guess I’m just urging people to use a little commonsense.”

Mackay Airport workers are celebrating a milestone today after recording 1250 injury-free work days.

Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the record was a fantastic achievement.

The previous record of days without time lost through a work-related injury stood at 722 days.

“It’s a record the workforce should be proud,” Mr Taylor said.

MPA Workplace Health and Safety manager, John Kraft, said the record had been achieved through the constant review and monitoring of standards and procedures in collaboration with workers.

“We have a workforce committed to safety, but we are not about to rest on our laurels,” he said.

“Next month, the MPA will embark on a comprehensive safety awareness program targeting managers and supervisors.”

Mr Kraft said credit should also be directed at members of the MPA’s hard working and dedicated WHS committee.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the airport’s staff covered a wide range of duties including maintenance, security, gardening and construction and frequently included workers from the seaport.

Meantime, Mr Heard said work on the airport’s 90 bay public and staff car park was progressing well.

“The project’s running to schedule and should be completed within about three weeks.

“We will then move on to the next phase of the project which includes an additional 125 bay security and public car park.

“Tenders for this project will close at the end of the month, with work to start in May.”

The Mackay Port Authority is concerned that time is quickly running out to entice Virgin into introducing a dawn service to Brisbane.

Virginblue's Robert D'Alessio (left) and Peter Bailey discuss new opportunities for the low-cost carrier with Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard (center) today.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the low cost carrier was in the closing phase of finalizing its winter schedule.

“We have been told that Virgin is continuing to examine the feasibility of coming to the city’s rescue with the upcoming demise of the 6 a.m. Qantas flight, but it’s been made clear that this window is closing and in fact could close within a days,” he said

Mr Heard said Virgin had again raised the need for Mackay City Council and the business community to support the service.

Qantas has put Mackay’s business community in a spin by announcing it will axe its 6 a.m. Mackay/Brisbane service with the launch of budget airline Jetstar next month.

The city’s business and community leaders and local politicians Tim Mulherin and De-Anne Kelly have joined forces in urging Qantas to reconsider its upcoming schedule and plans for a new daily 8 a.m. service to the State’s capital.

 The group will meet with Qantas’ Regional Queensland general manager Terry Simpson in Mackay on April 28.

Mr Heard today held further talks with Virgin executives Robert D’Alessio and Peter Bailey during an operations and safety audit of the airline’s activities in Mackay.

The early morning service was high on the agenda, but he also provided Virgin with details of a special survey being conducted by Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin in a bid to gauge public support for the 6 a.m. flight. The survey has found that 83 per cent of Qantas passengers would support a 6 a.m. Virgin service.

The visit to Mackay by Mr D’Alessio was a surprise homecoming for his parents Michael and Rose D’Alessio of Denton Street.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mr D’Alessio is Virginblue’s Regional Co-ordinator of Guest Services for Mackay.

“It’s always great to come home and see family and friends,” he said.

Mr D’Alessio grew up in Mackay and was school captain at St. Patrick’s College in 1994.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has completed a detailed audit of Mackay Airport.

General manager Trevor Heard said the airport passed the operational review with flying colours.

Andrew Stewart and Ken Oehlerich inspect a plan of Mackay Airport with Steve Ahwang and Ray Waters from the Mackay Port Authority.

The CASA audit follows an annual safety inspection by independent airport and aviation consultant Aerodrome Operation Support.

Director Ken Oehlerich said Mackay Airport was being maintained to a very high standard and continued to meet current safety standards in the operation and maintenance of the facilities.

Mackay Airport is operated by the Mackay Port Authority and in 2002 was judged the best regional airport in Australia.

Mr Heard was pleased with findings of the detailed safety and operational reports.

“These reports reinforce what we have known all along that Mackay Airport is rated as an aviation leader,” he said.

“We are proud of this record but there is always room for improvement.

“Our goal is to provide airport users with a modern, safe, proactive facility and at the same time we will continue to lobby all airlines for new services that will offer passengers low-priced air fares.”

Mr Heard said the MPA had provided the airlines with more than $3 million in special incentives over the past two-and-a-half years to jet into Mackay.

“Mackay will soon reap the benefits of Qantas’ low-cost carrier Jetstar that will start services into the city next month,” he said.

“In July, Jetstar will operate four direct services between Sydney and Mackay, starting at $119 one way and hopefully next year Virgin will start a new direct service between Auckland and the city.”

Prime Minister John Howard and his deputy John Anderson met with about 700 cane growers and their families at a cane farm in Mackay on Saturday.

Mr Howard spent about three hours in Mackay speaking to farmers about the plight of the struggling sugar industry.

Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly escorts Prime Minister John Howard from the tarmac during his visit to Mackay on Saturday

The Prime Minister was invited to the city by the Federal Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly.

Mr Howard told farmers that the Federal Government acknowledged the hardships being faced by the industry but stopped short of announcing immediate additional assistance to the industry.

Mackay Port Authority acting CEO Trevor Heard (left) has an informal chat with the Prime Minister John Howard and his deputy John Anderson at Mackay Airport on Saturday.

“We will respond as soon as we reasonably can,” he told growers.

Mr Howard’s visit to Mackay generated plenty of community interest with people posing for photographs with the nation’s leader at Mackay Airport.

The Mackay Port Authority has held talks with low-cost carrier Virginblue in a bid to secure an early morning Brisbane service for the city.

Qantas has announced it will withdraw the 6 a.m. Mackay-Brisbane flight with the introduction of its budget subsidiary Jetstar in May.

Negotiations are underway between MPA and Virgin Blue to fill the 6am service from Mackay.

Jetstar will replace the week-day service with an 8 a.m. flight from Mackay.

Mackay Mayor Julie Boyd has called a meeting with the business community and tourism leaders to discuss Qantas’ move to drop the service. The meeting will be held tomorrow.

Meantime, Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor and acting CEO Trevor Heard held talks with key Virgin executives in Brisbane yesterday.

“Virgin is examining the possibility of starting a 6 a.m. service – but at the end of the day it has to examine where best to place its aircraft in terms of financial return and capacity,” Mr Heard said.

“Underwriting was discussed but that’s a matter for the Mackay City Council and the chamber of commerce to consider.

“The Mackay Port Authority has been doing our bit to encourage new services to Mackay. In the past 30 months we have paid the airlines more than $3 million dollars in incentives and rebates.”

Mr Heard said the issue of underwriting the 6 a.m. service was expected to be a hot topic at tomorrow's meeting.

The Mackay Port Authority fears somebody could be seriously injured, if motorists continue to ignore parking restrictions at the city’s busy airport.

The MPA is alarmed at a number of near misses involving passengers, alighting from vehicles outside the main airport terminal.

Security officer Steve Ahwang is urging motorists not to leave their cars unattended in front of the Mackay Airport terminal.

Acting airport general manager Ray Waters has appealed to people not to leave their cars in the designated set-down rank at the front of the terminal.

“It’s becoming a recipe for disaster,” Mr Waters said.” We already have had a number of near missing involving people jumping out of cars on the roadway because the set down rank is full or congested by motorists using it as an extended parking bay.

“We even had a situation the other day when cars were three-abreast – it was just good luck that no-one was injured.”

Mr Waters acknowledged that general parking was becoming an issue at the airport.

“Over the next 12 months more than half a million passengers are expected to pass through the Mackay terminal as the airlines increase capacity and with the introduction of Qantas’ budget-priced carrier Jetstar in May.

“Tenders are currently being called for the construction of the next stage of our car park redevelopment.”

Mr Waters said work was expected to start in late April and would increase the public car park to 410 spaces.

He said the car park expansion program would also include a new security facility with an additional 75 parking bays.

“We are doing what we can to overcome congestion problems. We are appealing to people to use a little commonsense and not to park in drop off zones and other restricted areas,” Mr Waters.

The Mackay Port Authority is backing a community appeal to raise vital funds for the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service.

CQ Rescue will now join the Royal Flying Doctor Service in counting the proceeds fished from the barramundi pond at Mackay Airport.

Mackay Airport acting general manager Ray Waters and CQ Rescue Helicopter Service chairman John Bird display the new barometer that will record the flow of donations fished from the barra pond at the city's airport.!

The pond has netted the RFDS a cool $4000 over the past 12 months.

Communications manager Colin Wilson said many people owed their life to the dedicated team at CQ Rescue.

“But rescue helicopters don’t come cheaply,” he said.” The service costs 2.3 million dollars to keep in the air each year.”

CQ Rescue receives about $900 000 in funding from the State Government – the remaining $1.4 million is made up of community and corporate sponsorship and donations.

Chairman of the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service John Bird said the MPA had been a strong supporter of the service since its inception in 1996.

“Mackay Port Authority workers have given generously through payroll deductions and annual donations for many years now,” he said.

“This backing and the support of a wide cross section of industries in the region are very much appreciated.

“It’s so true – every little bit counts and each year the community digs that bit deeper to fund this important service.”

Mr Bird said CQ Rescue would soon take delivery of a twin-engine helicopter formerly operated by the Victorian Police Service.

It will replace the single-engine Bell 407 aircraft that plummeted into the sea off Cape Hillsborough in October last year, killing all three on board.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Meantime, Mr Wilson said a sign thanking travellers for their donations had been erected in the pond area at the airport.

“It has a barometer so people can see their donations slowly building” he said.

“Children get a kick out of tossing a few coins into the pond and making a ‘wish’.

“It’s not a wishing well – but the good wishes of these important life saving charities certainly goes with everyone who makes a donation.

“When people see where the money is now going I’m certain they’ll give generously.”

Mr Wilson said the introduction of low-cost carrier Jetstar into Mackay in May was expected to boost passenger throughput at Mackay Airport to more than 500 000 over the next 12 months.

“It would be fantastic if we could fish $10 000 out of the pond in this time,” he said.

The Mackay Port Authority is continuing to lobby the airlines to provide an early morning week-day business service to Brisbane.

Qantas has announced that it will withdraw the 6 a.m. flight, when its low-cost carrier Jetstar touches down in Mackay on May 25.

Mackay Port Authority acting CEO Trevor Heard said Qantas had made a commercial decision to withdraw the 6 a.m. flight.

It would be replaced with a Jetstar service that arrived in Mackay at 7.25 a.m.—departing at 8 a.m.

“The Mackay Port Authority has spent more than $3 million dollars over the past 30 months offering Qantas and Virginblue incentives and rebates to increase services to Mackay,” Mr Heard said.

“We are doing everything we can to offer people not only choice but the best available low cost fares out of Mackay.

“I think it’s now the responsibility of the community and local leaders to lobby the airlines direct for services that suit their needs – in particular an early morning service out of Mackay.

“I understand Virgin announced on ABC radio today that it’s interested in providing the service.”

Mr Heard said the MPA had placed a new round of incentives on the table that hopefully would entice one of the airlines to continue the 6 a.m. “red eye”.

He said the incentives had led to Jetstar committing to new direct Sydney-Mackay services in July as well as increasing available seats by 45 per cent.

An attractive incentive package by the Mackay Port Authority has encouraged new low cost carrier Jetstar to introduce direct services from Sydney to Mackay.

Jetstar announced today the services will start in July with direct flights to Mackay each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Bargain basement air fares – some as low as $29 -- are expected to go on sale on the Net tomorrow.

On May 25, Jetstar will also conduct three daily Brisbane-Mackay services. The budget priced carrier’s parent company, Qantas will retain an afternoon service out of Mackay.
   
Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the MPA had been locked in negotiations with Jetstar for almost two months.

“We believe Jetstar could push an additional 100 000 to 150 000 passengers through Mackay in the next 12 months,” he said.

“These new services – in particular the direct services to Sydney – are fantastic news not only for Mackay, but for the whole Mackay-Whitsunday region.”

Mr Taylor said the Mackay Port Authority had played the leading role in attracting the low cost carrier to Mackay.

“The community and the tourism industry are about to reap the rewards of all our hard work in attracting Jetstar to Mackay through generous incentives and rebates,” he said.

“We also have been in the enviable position of being able to keep our costs down to an average 3.5 per cent annually at Mackay Airport, while other major centres have seen aeronautical charges blow out to between 40 and 160 per cent over the past two years.”

Mr Taylor said the MPA was proud of its proactive approach to tourism and its role in ensuring Mackay travellers could tap into budget-priced air fares”.

He said the MPA was eagerly awaiting Virgin’s response to today’s Jetstar launch.

“We are conscious of operating on a level playing field. The MPA has offered  similar rebates and incentives to Virgin,” Mr Taylor said.

The Mackay Port Authority has released details of a major environmental survey that examined more than 15 million pieces of information in a bid to gauge aircraft noise levels over the city.

Data was collected from a total of 54 sites during the three month investigation.

An increase in passenger aircraft is having little impact on residents

MPA environmental manager Scott Keane said the results confirmed earlier views that aircraft noise was causing little impact in the community.

“The information will now serve as a baseline study and will be used in future airport assessments,” he said.

“The results of the survey are very positive for the airport and the people of Mackay. It shows that Mackay Airport even with its increasing aircraft and passenger volumes is managing to handle those volumes without having a major impact on local residents.”

Mackay Airport handled more than 400 000 passengers last year -- an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Keane said the survey data was assessed against Australian Standards dealing with aircraft noise intrusion.

More than 15 million pieces of information were eventually downloaded and analysed by expert acoustic engineers.

The technical report prepared by independent consultants Environmental Resources Management Australia found on average 35 landings or take-offs daily recorded noise levels at 70 decibels or above.
 
The Australian Standard for homes and motels is 75 decibels for more than 20 movements (landings or take-offs) a day.

Mr Keane said the survey also compared the frequency of major passenger flights.

“We had a respite (time without noise impact) of 60 per cent, compared with major airports where this can be as low as10 per cent,’ he said.

“Generally we have extensive gaps between passenger flights and therefore the frequency of potential noise events is reduced.”

Mr Keane said the MPA was determined to continue to monitor aircraft noise levels.

“A similar study will be conducted about every five years subject to major changes in aircraft volume,” he said.

An executive summary of the findings will be sent to people who participated in the survey.

The Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson met with a number of local delegations in the board room at Mackay Airport recently.

Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly field questions from the media at a press conference at Mackay Airport.

The meetings were organised by Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly.

Mr Anderson – Federal National Party Leader and Minister for Transport and Regional Services – had discussions with local sugar industry leaders, including Mackay Canegrowers chairman Paul Schembri and chairman of Mackay Sugar Eddie Westcott.

His visit also included briefings on a pilot ethanol plant being mooted for Mackay.

Mrs Kelly said tenders for the plant were expected to be called later this year. It’s anticipated the pilot plant would be associated with an existing sugar mill.

Mr Anderson held a press conference at Mackay Airport and was bombarded by the local media on a variety of issues including free trade, the sugar industry and road funding.

The Mackay Port Authority has received an informal briefing on an investigation into an incident involving a passenger jet that came within 200 metres of touching down on Broadsound Road in May last year.

Deputy director of air safety investigation with the ATSB Alan Stray discusses the new safety initiatives with Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard (centre) and ATSB safety investigator Brett Leyshon.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard and communications manager Colin Wilson met with Alan Stray from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in Mackay today.

Mr Stray, who is the bureau’s deputy director of air safety investigation, said systems data from the Qantaslink 717 was currently being analysed in the United States.

He said the aircraft manufacturer Boeing was also assisting in the investigation.

Mr Stray received an update from the MPA on initiatives to improve safety at the airport.

These initiatives included the introduction of a $35 000 threshold lighting system at the approach to Runway 14 and the inclusion of a cautionary note in all Jeppesen Aviation Charts. The flashing strobe lights can be detected up to 27 kilometres from the airport.

The note warns pilots of the possibility of mistaking lights on the Bruce Highway and Broadsound Road for runway lights at Mackay Airport.

Mr Stray said the initiatives highlighted the MPA’s professionalism and positive approach to safety.

Safety at Mackay Airport has been enhanced with the installation of a new $35,000 runway lighting system.

MPA electrician Travis O'Brien makes a final adjustment on the new threshold strobe lights on Runway 14.

The runway threshold identification lights recently underwent extensive trials and are now operational.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the strobe lighting system on Runway 14 will further assist pilots in identifying the runway in poor weather conditions.

The new system was embraced by the MPA Board in the wake of an incident involving a Qantaslink 717 passenger jet in May last year.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating claims that the pilot confused the lights on nearby Broadsound Road with the runway lights at Mackay Airport.

Witnesses reported the jet came within 200 metres of landing on the busy road. An air traffic controller at Mackay Airport alerted the pilot about his approach. The pilot aborted the “landing” and made an incident-free touch down at Mackay Airport 10 minutes later.

Mr Mann said pilots were supporting the new threshold lights which could be detected up to 27 kilometres from Mackay Airport.

“The runway lights we had in place complied and met strict regulations set down by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, but as we have said all along safety is paramount,” Mr Mann said.

“These new strobe lights are additional to CASA’s requirements. We are determined to ensure another incident involving Broadsound Road doesn’t happen again.”

Meantime, the ATSB investigation into the May 29 incident is continuing.

Deputy director of air safety investigation, Alan Stray, said investigators were still awaiting “systems data” downloaded from the 717 Qantaslink jet to be assessed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States.

“We are currently working with the NTSB and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing on this issue,” he said.

Mackay Port Authority has achieved another milestone with more than 400 000 passengers, passing through Mackay Airport in 2003.

The airport is experiencing record growth, handling a total of 400 118 passengers last year.

“This is a tremendous achievement with passenger growth increasing by 20.5 per cent last year,’ acting airport general manager Ray Waters said.

Passenger throughput increased from 332 097 in 2002 to 400 118 in 2003.

Mr Waters said the milestone followed the Mackay Airport being judged the best regional airport in Australia in November 2002.

“If current trend continues, we can expect to handle between 415 000 and 425 000 this financial year,” he said.

“It’s clear that travellers have embraced the introduction of low cost carrier Virgin to Mackay.

“Air fares are becoming even more affordable and people are taking advantage of budget priced seats.

“It would appear that the introduction of Qantas’ low cost carrier Jetstar will make air travel even more appealing.”

Jetstar executives will meet with the Mackay Port Authority next week to discuss potential services.

Tickets for major Jetstar routes will go on sale next month. The new airline is expected to start services in May.

Mackay police are examining security camera footage after three vehicles were damaged and ransacked at Mackay Airport on Tuesday night (December 30).

Constable Jacqueline Notley prepares to examine a smashed window of a Nissan Patrol 4WD attacked by vandals at Mackay Airport.

Security cameras captured the 30 minute vandalism spree on film.

The footage shows a man driving what’s believed to be a white Holden VN Commodore in the public car park about 11o’clock on Tuesday night.

He can be seen patrolling the park before breaking into the vehicles.

Police plan to enhance the footage and believe the material will provide investigators with important information.
 
Mackay Port Authority has spent more than a million dollars over the past two years upgrading security at the airport.

The upgrade included 24-hour security camera surveillance of the car park precinct.

“Our security officers and police also conduct regular night patrols of the car park,” airport acting general manager Ray Waters said.

“This person obviously thought these cars would be easy targets, but it’s good to see that the security system we have in place works.”

Mr Waters said the MPA board would soon consider final plans for an additional 75 bay security car park at the airport.

“It’s disappointing when this sort of thing happens, but hopefully people will now realise that the car park is being monitored –  and anyone silly enough to vandalise or steal from cars will be caught,” he said.

The Mackay Port Authority is appealing to motorists to respect new parking restrictions at Mackay’s award winning airport.

Mackay Airport acting co-ordinator Greg Coad and security officer Col Bourne with the new parking signs now erected at the entrance to the terminal.

The MPA is concerned that drivers are using the drop off bay at the entrance of the terminal as a car park.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard said new parking signs were erected this week highlighting the restrictions and the two minute standing zones.

“The safety of all people who visit the airport has always been one of our main priorities -- but potentially hazardous situations are arising as people ‘double park’ at the terminal entrance,” he said. 

 “Mackay Airport is a very busy place over the festive season and we are just appealing to people to please do the right thing by other travellers.

“We’re handling more than a thousand people a day and it’s important the drop off bay isn’t congested with parked cars.

“Just this week we had to go looking for a driver who parked his car across a pedestrian walkway. We found him in the snack bar having a cup of coffee.”

Mr Heard said the new signs included a “tow away” provision.

“There are a lot of issues here - including security,” he said. “Unattended cars can’t be left at the airport terminal entrance. Some airports don’t even allow drop off zones.”

Mr Heard appealed to motorists to respect the directions of security officers, who were currently policing the congestion issue.

“Everyone will benefit if we can all work together,” he said.

Mr Heard said more than 400 000 passengers were expected to pass through the terminal this year.

The Mackay Port Authority has welcomed the Federal Government’s move to improve security at airports in Central Queensland.

Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly confirmed today that $93 million dollars will be channelled into a major expansion of the aviation security regulatory regime.

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the additional injection of funds into smaller airports was good news for the travelling public.

“As yet we still don’t know what financial assistance will be available to the MPA, but we will be contacting the Transport Minister’s office for more detail,”

he said.

“It will be interesting to determine if this money can be used to purchase an explosives trace detection machine that has to be installed in Mackay under these regulations by December next year.”

The equipment is expected to cost about $100 000.

Mr Heard said he wanted to clarify if these funds could be used by the MPA’s to implement total check bag screening and the provision of Australian Protective Service Police if Mackay went international and secured direct services from Auckland in New Zealand.

He said security at Mackay Airport currently met all government regulations and requirements.

“We’ve spent more than $1 million over the past two years to achieve this goal and this was recognised last year when Mackay was judged the best regional airport in Australia,” he said.

“We are keen to build on our reputation and additional government funding to improve security can only be good for all airports and passengers.”

The Mackay Port Authority is urging Mackay residents to closely examine the variety of trees they plant in their yards.

The MPA is about to embark on another tree lopping program in South and West Mackay to ensure its runway operations meet the strict requirement of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

This view is taken from the Mackay Airport and shows the trees that need to be lopped. The trees have been identified as posing a potentail hazard to aircraft in an emergency.

The airport is subject to a detailed technical and safety inspection each year. Part of its licence requirements involve a survey of trees that fall into a 15 kilometre flight path corridor from the end of each runway.

Mackay Airport operations co-ordinator Ray Waters said a number of trees have been identified as being a potential hazard in an emergency and now must be lopped.

“It’s not a cheap exercise. Lopping a group of mature fig trees in Perry Street will exhaust our annual tree lopping budget,” he said.

“Aircraft safety is paramount and the work must be done.”

Mr Waters said a number of other trees in the same area would also be trimmed or lopped.

“We are appealing to people to use a little commonsense and think about the trees they plant in their yards as some palm trees can pose a real problem in a very sort time,” he said.

“If they have any doubts please contact us, we’re more than happy to give advice, but people must understand that this flight path corridor must be kept free of obstructions.

“CASA regulations require us to look at a worse case scenario in an emergency and history has revealed that as little as 18 inches can prove the difference between an aircraft landing safely or a tragedy.

“There is no guess work. Surveyors use a precise formula that calculates the height of the tree in relation to the distance from the runway and if that falls into this safety corridor, then in the interest of safety, action must be taken.

Mackay and the Whitsundays are starting to reap the rewards of a $65 000 marketing campaign aimed at luring southern holidaymakers to the region.

The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) and low-cost carrier Virginblue have just completed a successful promotional campaign that offered city dwellers a refreshing short-stay break away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and Melbourne.

Thousands of travellers each day were exposed to the promotional campaign, via huge billboards like this one on the entrance to Mascot Airport in Sydney.

Mackay Airport Manager Trevor Heard said the campaign urged city-slickers to “Spring into Mackay” through a host of special holiday packages, via Brisbane.

The Mackay Port Authority which operates the sea and air ports in Mackay contributed $20 000 to the campaign.

“It’s been a great success with passenger numbers on the increase during what is a traditionally quiet time for the airline industry,” he said.

“People in Melbourne and Sydney have recognised that a short stay holiday in our beautiful region is affordable and also offers a great opportunity to recharge the batteries.”

Mr Heard said the advertising campaign used major city newspapers, radio stations and city bill boards to entice holidaymakers north.

“It’s also generated a flood of advance booking inquiries into Christmas and the New Year,” he said.

“The MPA see it as a ‘win win’ situation. It improves our bottom line; Virgin benefits from an increase in passenger numbers and the travelling public reap the rewards of low priced air airfares.

“These initiatives have the potential to carry right through the tourism industry to restaurants, motels and hire car companies.”

Mr Heard said on-going talks between the MPA and Virgin had led to the airline introducing a new daily $189 through fare from Mackay to Canberra. The connecting service via, Brisbane started on November 25.

Mr Heard said negotiations were also continuing with Virgin and Qantas in a bid to encourage the airlines to introduce direct flights from Sydney to Mackay next year.

“Hopefully these negotiations will gain further momentum as Qantas explores opportunities for its new low cost carrier set to jet into regional airports in May,” he said.

The progressive North Queensland shire of Bowen has thrown its weight behind plans by the Mackay Port Authority to attract direct international flights from New Zealand.

The Mackay City Council this week pledged $75 000 to help underwrite the direct Auckland-Mackay service, tipped to get off the ground in May.

Whitsunday Shire Council and Tourism Whitsunday have also expressed interest in assisting to underwrite the service. The MPA hopes the two bodies will give a commitment soon.
 
Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue this week confirmed that it was exploring opportunities with the MPA over additional domestic and international services.

Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker said the direct Auckland flights would provide an exciting opportunity for the shire’s fledgling tourism industry.

“I will be taking a proposal outlining my support for this exciting venture to our next council meeting,” Cr Brunker said.

“I can see the ‘big picture’ and the benefits these flights will offer Mackay and the Whitsundays and we’re very much part of the Whitsundays.

“Bowen has a number of new tourism ventures in the pipeline – some will come online early next year and I’m certain Bowen can offer NZ tourists a variety of unique alternatives to activities in Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday islands.”

The New Zealand service is expected to inject more than $5 million into the region’s economy over the six month trial period.
 
Cr Brunker said the matter would be discussed at the council’s December meeting.

“It’s something we need to discuss at council level, but direct flights from Auckland to Mackay can only benefit regional tourism,” he said.

The Mackay Port Authority has welcomed moves by Mackay City Council to help underwrite direct international flights between New Zealand and Mackay. Mackay City Council this morning agreed to support the Auckland-Mackay route to the tune of $75 000.

Whitsunday Shire Council and Tourism Whitsunday have also been asked to financially back the weekly service. A decision is expected on Friday.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann confirmed today that negotiations were continuing with a major low cost carrier.

“Negotiations remain at a delicate stage, but all going well, direct flights between Auckland and Mackay could get off the ground by May,” Mr Mann said.

The Mackay Port Authority has been working on the proposal for the past two years.

The project has attracted great support from the Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt, Mackay’s Mayor Julie Boyd, Tourism Mackay‘s David Phillips and the Whitsunday Shire Council and Tourism Whitsunday.

Mr Mann said the initial six month trial was expected to directly inject an additional $5 million into the Mackay-Whitsunday economy.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the airline involved in this new service,” Mr Mann said.” Talks are continuing and hopefully I’ll be able to say more in the coming weeks.”

Mr Mann said the total figure to underwrite the direct service could reach $300 000.

“The MPA will have some exposure – but basically we’ll be providing special incentives and rebates to whatever airline operates this fantastic new service,” he said.

“It could cost the MPA up to $150 000 to provide the necessary security, customs and quarantine infrastructure needed to progress this six month trial.”

Mr Mann said the new direct service was expected to use aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737-800 capable of carrying between 160 and 180 passengers.

“It will provide New Zealanders with a perfect opportunity to escape the country’s winter chill and give Mackay people a great chance to enjoy a ski holiday in New Zealand,” he said.

The Mackay Port Authority is proceeding with plans to install an additional runway lighting safety system that’ll further assist pilots in identifying the Mackay runway in poor weather conditions.

The new threshold identification lights are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

The MPA Board took the initiative to approve the flashing lighting system, after an incident involving a Qantaslink 717 passenger jet in May.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating claims that the pilot of the passenger jet confused the lights on nearby Broadsound Road with the runway lights at Mackay Airport.

Witnesses say the jet came within 200 metres of landing on the busy road. The 717 aircraft has the capability of carrying 121 passengers and crew.

An air traffic controller at Mackay Airport alerted the pilot about his approach. The pilot successfully aborted the landing and completed an incident-free landing at Mackay Airport about 10 minutes later.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said extensive trials already had been completed on the new $35 000 lighting system.

 “Safety is paramount,” he said. “The current runway lighting system meets all Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards and requirement, but we are determined to ensure that a similar thing doesn’t happen again.

Mr Mann said the flashing strobe lights would be installed at the start of all runways in a bid to help pilots distinguish the runway lights from nearby Broadsound Road and the Bruce Highway.

The new safety initiative has the backing of the ATSB.

Meantime, the Mackay Port Authority is still waiting for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to release a report into the May 29 incident.

The ATSB has sent “systems” information and data from the 717 to its counterpart in America – the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

 “We want them to assess this information and get back to us,” ATSB deputy director of air safety investigation, Alan Stray said.
 
“The ATSB is currently working with the NTSB and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing and until we get that information back we won’t be able to finalise our investigation.”

The ATSB hopes the analysis of the data will determine if the aircraft experienced a “systems failure” or the incident was a result of pilot error.

Mr Stray was unable to indicate when a report into the May 29 incident would be released.

A simulated crash exercise at Mackay Airport involving emergency services has been hailed as a success.









The mock disaster, involving the runway crash of a passenger jet with 107 people on board, was held between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on September 10.

Police, SES, ambulance, fire and Mackay Port Authority personnel held an extensive debrief on Friday, September 12.









Airport manager Trevor Heard said Field Exercise Zero Five gave emergency services the opportunity to put their training to the test.

“A number of minor communications problems did arise, but that was the whole point of the exercise – to put these dedicated professionals under real life pressure,” Mr Heard said.

“Overall, everyone did an excellent job co-coordinating communications which resulted in a great result on the ground.”

Mr Heard said emergency plans for the airport would continue to be reviewed and updated throughout the year.

“The traveling public should be very pleased that they have good, committed emergency personnel on hand here in Mackay to react and attend to any incident that may happen, whether at the airport or on the road,” he said.

Global aviation maps and manuals will soon carry a detailed warning designed to keep unwary pilots on course when making night time landings at Mackay Airport. The new safety initiative by the Mackay Port Authority follows a potentially fatal incident in which the pilot of a 717 passenger jet came within 200 metres of landing on the Bruce Highway on May 29.

Details of the incident remain unclear but it’s believed the pilot of the Qantaslink jet, carrying more than 90 passengers, confused the lights on Broadsound Road and the Bruce Highway with the runway lights at Mackay Airport. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is currently investigating the latest incident. A preliminary report is expected to be released next month.

Mackay Airport manager Trevor Heard said moves to include the cautionary note on all Jeppesen Aviation Charts were being supported by the airline industry and air safety investigators.

The warning reads: Caution – On Approach to Runway 14 in poor visibility, lighting along a section of the Bruce Highway, aligned N/S approx 1.5 nautical miles west of the airport may be mistaken for a runway. Mr Heard said the wording of the warning note was crafted after top level discussions with ATSB officials and senior Qantas fleet managers.

“It’s no secret that we (MPA) were alarmed at this latest incident and we are determined to do everything in our power to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “A simple notation on a chart could be all that’s needed to prevent a repeat of this potentially serious incident.”

It’s the second time in 14 years that a passenger jet managed to mistake street lights for the Mackay runway. A similar incident involving an Australian Airlines 737 occurred in 1989.

Mr Heard said the idea for a warning note on aviation charts and route manuals came from a pilots’ internet forum in the wake of the most recent incident in May. “The big thing is to learn from the mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again,” he said.

The Mackay Port Authority and the nation’s two major airlines are joining forces to attract more southern holidaymakers to Mackay and the Whitsundays.

Qantas and Virgin Blue have committed to an $80,000 campaign that’ll saturate Sydney and Melbourne with a marketing initiative, urging people to “Spring into Mackay” in September.

Airport manager Trevor Heard said the two airlines have been offered $20,000 each for advertising and promotional campaigns, aimed at penetrating the lucrative Sydney and Melbourne markets with attractively priced short-break holiday packages, via Brisbane.

The MPA’s $40,000 contribution will attract similar support from the airlines.
 
“The campaigns will be great for Mackay and Virgin and Qantas,” Mr Heard said.

“The more passengers we get through our terminal the better our bottom line will look at the end of the financial year. These incentives are just another way we can help grow our business and promote Mackay and the Whitsundays as a beaut spot for a holiday in the sun.”

Mr Heard said the spin off from the MPA’s proactive approach will be felt right through the tourism industry and other businesses in Mackay and the Whitsundays.

"People will spend money on sightseeing, island holidays, car hire and of course restaurants and accommodation,” he said. "There are benefits for the whole community."

The MPA is also looking at offering the airlines special incentives to promote direct services from Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr Heard said positive talks were continuing with both airlines, with Virgin examining the possibility of flying direct to Mackay on the weekend.

"Virgin is waiting to get more aircraft on line, but they have said there’s a possibility of an off-peak service on a Saturday or a Sunday, when there is not as much demand on the trunk routes." he said.

"Qantas says it’s reviewing the service."

Airport Manager Trevor Heard discusses the airline incentive campaign
with Mackay Tourism general manager David Philips

The MPA’s $40,000 contribution will attract similar support from the airlines.

“The campaigns will be great for Mackay and Virgin and Qantas,” Mr Heard said.

“The more passengers we get through our terminal the better our bottom line will look at the end of the financial year. These incentives are just another way we can help grow our business and promote Mackay and the Whitsundays as a beaut spot for a holiday in the sun.”

Mr Heard said the spin off from the MPA’s proactive approach will be felt right through the tourism industry and other businesses in Mackay and the Whitsundays.

“People will spend money on sightseeing, island holidays, car hire and of course restaurants and accommodation,” he said. ’There are benefits for the whole community.”

The MPA is also looking at offering the airlines special incentives to promote direct services from Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr Heard said positive talks were continuing with both airlines, with Virgin examining the possibility of flying direct to Mackay on the weekend.

“Virgin is waiting to get more aircraft on line, but they have said there’s a possibility of an off-peak service on a Saturday or a Sunday, when there is not as much demand on the trunk routes” he said.

“Qantas says it’s reviewing the service.”