Wagga’s aviation community has cried foul of council’s decision to endorse parking fees for visiting aircraft, arguing the additional costs could deter recreational pilots from the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It follows council’s decision to reinstate revised airport fees and charges in July.
Under the proposed parking fees, visiting fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft could be hit with fees of up to $9.68 per day, per tonne.
Former Wagga City Aero Club president John Smith said he understood council’s decision to reinstate fees and charges but fears parking fees may be a step too far.
“Charging $10-15 per tonne per landing is already pretty restrictive on people who are visiting the city but I see why council has these in place,” Mr Smith said.
“However now they’re trying to introduce parking fees and I think could be an even bigger imposition on visiting planes.
Mr Smith believes airports without landing fees are likely to attract more tourism, putting the local economy at a disadvantage..
“For me, this landing fee seems like a deterrent,” he said.
“People are less likely to do recreational flights into Wagga if they have to pay additional charges - it’s expensive to fly and you’d likely just go elsewhere rather than pay more.”
Council financial director Natalie Te Pohe said the reinstatement of fees and charges earlier this year was accepted by user groups and urged concerned parties to consider the visitor parking fees separately.
“The new parking fees apply to visiting aircraft only, and do not impact resident aircraft owners or operators who are registered with the Aerodrome Operator,” she said.
“Landing and parking fees are an inherent costs of aircraft operations and are charged at the vast majority of airports.”
Ms Te Pohe refuted claims the fees would significantly impact aircraft movement in the region.
“Council does not consider that there will be a noticeable effect on aircraft movements with the introduction of these fees, and that has been demonstrated throughout the airport industry where similar fees exist or have been introduced,” she said.
Current Wagga City Aero Club president, Geoff Breust, remains unconvinced.
“Private and recreational aircraft operators visiting Wagga generally purchase fuel, visit the airport cafe or the Aero Club and spend money in the city in terms of accommodation, food and entertainment,” he said.
“The introduction of parking charges for these aircrafts may well result in the loss of the multiplier effect this spending brings for the local economy.”
