Plan for bigger planes to Roma and Charleville

A plan to add hundreds of plane tickets to two regional Queensland destinations has been delayed over concerns about security screening.

Two southwest Queensland councils’ bid to bring larger passenger flights each week has taken a step forward after a unanimous vote, but the plan could have trouble getting off the ground without major investment.

The joint proposal from the Maranoa Regional Council and Murweh Shire Council would see the current 34-seat Saab-340 aircraft with an 82-seat Q400 three times per week, on the Central One Regulated transport route from Brisbane to Roma and Charleville.

However, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said for larger planes to land at Roma airport, upgrades to the facility’s security screening measures would be required.

The proposal is in response to concerns about the limited capacity on REX routes travelling from Brisbane to Roma and Charleville, which Maranoa Mayor, Tyson Golder, said has been an ongoing problem.

“The regulated passenger transport service is an important passenger service for our community – we urgently need increased capacity so that residents can travel for medical appointments, business and holidays,” he said.

“This solution would make an extra 312 seats available between Roma and Brisbane each week. This problem has been going on for 12 months.”

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the department is supportive of the proposal, but a solution to the security upgrades will need to be confirmed before approval.

“TMR is supportive of the Q400 proposal, noting the proposal requires additional security screening at regional airports. Regional airport operations at Roma is the responsibility of the local council,” the spokesman said.

“A solution between REX, the Maranoa Regional Council and the Murweh Shire Council [needs] to be confirmed. This includes costings of all security arrangements and how they will be absorbed without pushing them onto ticket prices.”

Charleville airport has a dispensation which allows the airport to accommodate Q400 aircraft without security screening.

Maranoa council has advocated to the Australian Government to also provide a similar dispensation for Roma airport.

However, this could only be awarded at the discretion of the department of Home Affairs.

In circumstances where the Maranoa council does not have an exemption, the cost of security screening will have to be absorbed by the local government, Rex - the operator, or the passengers.

Maranoa councillors were supportive of the proposal at the January 24 council meeting.

Councillor Mark Edwards said the proposal will help promote liveability in the region.

“It’s a work in progress, we’re trying to do our best, and always considering the ultimate impact on the community and also the Maranoa region,” he said.

“It’s part of a larger view in making the Maranoa a more liveable plac - I’m very much in support of it.”