A SPOKESMAN for New England Volunteer Air Transport (NEVAT) has confirmed that discussions have been held with the NSW Department of Transport about starting a flight service between Inverell and Sydney.

The spokesman stressed the talks were purely preliminary and that there is still much work to be done if NEVAT was to start passenger flights to and from Sydney.

In addition to the Sydney service NEVAT was also looking at introducing a Brisbane service.

“There is a labyrinth of issues that require addressing prior to the return of the service,” the spokesman said.

“We truly need the local councils of the region to get behind us and give us a kick start,” he said.

Mayor of Inverell Shire Council, Barry Johnston, supports the re-establishment of an air service to the town.

“I thought these people were Ashford based and ran a predominately volunteer system for people with specific needs,” Cr Johnston said.

“Inverell needs and air service, to comply with all the rules both state and federal and that appeals to the wider community in general.

“Council is aware of the need for a viable, reliable and safe air service to this town and would support that,” Cr Johnston said.

No formal talks have been undertaken with Inverell Shire Council at this stage as results of the meeting with the department are being waited upon.

“There simply would be no point in pursuing the air service if the department cannot address the issues we put to them last week,” the spokesperson said.

Inverell has seen three air service operators struggle to make the service viable over the past 10 years.

The NEVAT spokesman said they are trying to address the issues of fare costs and under-use, which harmed the previous operators, and have been assured by the department that they would receive word on their discussion within ‘a short time’.

© 2011 Inverell Times

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