Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Gold Coast airport is the sixth-largest airport in Australia, with more than five million passenger movements, but it does not have an instrument landing system. It does not have a system that will assist pilots with landing in poor visibility conditions. Other regional airports that have significantly fewer passenger movements than the Gold Coast, such as Cairns, Townsville and Launceston, already have an ILS, and some have had one operating for quite some time. The recent wet weather on the Gold Coast resulted in a number of aircraft go-rounds and diversions to other airports. There is obviously a safety concern here, as well as a risk to aircraft and a financial burden on operators, because of aborted landings, go-rounds, holding patterns and diversions to other airports such as Brisbane.

Whilst I understand that planning is underway for the implementation of an ILS at Gold Coast airport and I am aware of the work currently being undertaken by Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd and Airservices Australia, I call on the government to fast-track this project. The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination, with the sixth-largest airport in the country. Our flight and passenger movements are increasing and will continue to increase. We on the Gold Coast deserve proper recognition from the government and we need world-class facilities delivered to us now.