Memo to Qantas: Pick Toowoomba over Mackay

A BATTLE between two Queensland cities is looming as Qantas decides where to build its new pilot training academy.

A BATTLE between two Queensland cities is looming as Qantas decides where to build its new pilot training academy.

Last month the airline short-listed nine cities across Australia as the possible location for the facility, with Toowoomba and Mackay on the list for Queensland.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio yesterday took a dig at Mackay and said he could not think of a better place for the facility than Toowoomba.

"I know (Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson) and respect him highly," Mr Antonio said.

"But on this particular subject... I really think that when you look at things, have a look at Toowoomba, then have a look at Mackay.

"I'll rest my case there."

TAKE OFF: Getting ready to show Qantas around Wellcamp Airport are (from left) John Wagner, Cameron Dick and Paul Antonio. Picture: Tobi Loftus

Mr Antonio met with Qantas representatives yesterday, with Wagners director John Wagner and State Development Minister Cameron Dick, to discuss the Wagners' proposal, which would be built at Wellcamp Airport.

The proposal would see the construction of new taxi-ways at the airport, new buildings for training and a new accommodation village for students.

Mr Wagner said the facility would also utilise other airports in the region, including the Toowoomba Aerodrome and the Pittsworth, Millmerran, Warwick, Dalby, Oakey, Amberley and Kingaroy airports.

"If we are successful with this bid it will mean significant infrastructure, 700 new jobs for this region, brand new jobs that don't exist already," Mr Wagner said.

"It would mean 60 to 70 aircraft based here full time.

"We would expect more passenger services, which would give us a better schedule and cheaper prices for the travelling public. It would have a huge flow-on effect for the region."

Mr Wagner said the facility could boost the local economy by $600 million.

Despite saying he favoured neither proposal over the other, Mr Dick heaped praised on the Toowoomba proposal.

"(Toowoomba has) 315 clear flying days each year. It's a town on the up when it comes to economic growth. It's also a fantastic place to live," Mr Dick said.

"There is no (flight) curfew here.

"What you've got here is an unrivalled commitment from a local family."

Mr Wagner said his company would invest $55 million into the proposal if Qantas chose Toowoomba.

"We can have this up and running in five to six months from when they sign a commercial agreement," Mr Wagner said.

Mr Dick said he would travel to Mackay soon to meet with Qantas representatives there.

"Mackay will be feeling the love as well," he said.

Qantas Group Pilot Academy executive manager Wes Nobelius said a recent survey of the 14,000 aspiring pilots, who had indicated their interest in the Academy, showed a vast majority would be open to live, and train, in any of the nine shortlisted regional cities.

"Our team met with local and state government leaders including Mayors from across the broader region, business advocates and the Wellcamp Airport team in Toowoomba today to tour the facilities and assess the feasibility of our Academy being set up here," Mr Nobelius said. 

"It will be a competitive process as we visit all nine regional shortlisted cities to go through in detail what's required to establish the Academy, and ensure it is sustainable in the long term."

The other regional cities in consideration for the academy are  Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.

A decision on where the pilot training facility will go is expected later this year.
 

Originally published as Memo to Qantas: Pick Toowoomba over Mackay