BUSINESS and community members are being urged to fill in an online survey to gather opinion on the need for an air service from Armidale to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Armidale Dumaresq Mayor Laurie Bishop said the survey would help to indicate the level of support for such a service.
“I have spoken to a number of people who want Council to look at this issue again,” he said.
“Armidale is half way between Brisbane and Sydney and many people in our community want quick access to the north for business, medical and social purposes.
“The key question is the sustainability of such a service and that relies on the level of support there is for it in Armidale and the surrounding region including neighbouring councils.”
He said the council had already contacted a number of air service providers, encouraging them to hold discussions with the council on possible flight services from Armidale to Brisbane.
“We originally focused on re-establishing flight services to Brisbane,” Cr Bishop said.
“But in subsequent discussions with stakeholders, including a possible carrier, the Gold Coast with good transport links to Brisbane and capturing the potential vacation market, was raised as an option worth investigating”.
Cr Bishop said other councils in the region would be contacted regarding support from their communities for a northern air service.
“We would like our communities and those in other council areas to give us their views through the survey,” he said.
“If we all work together on this it will benefit everyone.”
Survey responses need to be in by the end of November and confidentiality of all responses is assured. Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArmidaleAirlineSurvey to submit your views.
