Marty H |
17th October 2008 03:24 PM |
Meeting went for about 35mins around 90-100 people in attendance including one from the CEAG, Lyndal opened the meeting who is running the group and the SEAG website and outlined the reasons why Essendon Airport should remain open points of the Air Ambulance Police Air wing GA aircraft maintenace, regional airlines and pilot training.
Peter Ryan for the National Party spoke and said the Nationals and Coalition are commited to keeping Essendon Airport open, he said he uses Essendon Airport regulary as does John Brumby who plans to close Essendon, Peter also asked John in question time in paraliment last week why he wants Essendon closed when he uses it himself and John refused to answer.
Mayor of Hamilton spoke and stated the effects on regional Victoria if Essendon was closed, Hamilton has recently been awarded a $185 million wind farm project and the main reason was because it had an airlink with Melbourne. CEO of Sharp Airlines also spoke outlining the effects and possible closure of Sharp Airlines if Essendon closed, CEO of General Avaition of Australia also spoke.
The one person from CEAG stated that Hospital have helipads and have no need to land at Essendon and can go direct, was in the end howled down with the fact that the Air Ambulance neither has the range or speed of a fixed wing aircraft, and its also a bit hard to land a fixed wing on a helipad
Future meetings are planned and they are also planning for the website a forum.
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