Transport

Chris Murray. The loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or misadventure? ... Hudson Fysh – Qantas: “On the 23rd June, 1949, our Catalina and one of Trans Oceanic Airways were riding at their moorings on the lagoon when in a ‘blow’ our flying boat broke her moorings and went ashore."

Michelle Daw. Farming and transport industry representatives have praised a decision by Yorke Peninsula Council to open its roads to higher-productivity heavy vehicles as a victory for common sense. The move followed an enormous response of 789 submissions to council’s public consultation about a proposed strategy to address safety concerns on its roads.

Today, I directed the Slot Manager at Sydney Airport to suspend the application of the ‘use it or lose it’ test on Rex’s regional NSW slot holdings for the current and upcoming scheduling season. This test stipulates that airlines must use 80 per cent of their allocated slots or risk losing them. Its suspension will protect Rex’s NSW regional slots at Sydney Airport until late March 2026.

A new Aviation White Paper will create the framework to give passengers a better deal while ensuring the industry maintains Australia’s strong safety record. The White Paper includes 56 policies setting the direction for the industry. The centrepiece is an independent Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme and a new Charter of Customer Rights.

The Maldon Heavy Traffic Petition commenced a new leg of its journey to Parliament last week, when members of the Maldon Traffic Group (MTG) presented the document to the Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards. The petition, which requests a comprehensive State Government review into the nature and level of heavy vehicle traffic through Maldon, was prompted by concerns for pedestrian and driver safety ...

Booming investments into biofuels, set out in government’s  ‘Future Made in Australia’ plan, presents a huge opportunity for Australia’s regional agricultural producers and farmers, according to Airbus. Airbus Chief Representative for Australia and the Pacific, Stephen Forshaw, recently warned that a “Future Made in Singapore”, not Australia, could be a reality if local industry does not embrace these opportunities now to tap into domestic gains. Australian Rural & Regional News interviewed Stephen and learnt a good more about just what's involved and the prospects for Australia and Australian farmers.

I’m Sam Freeman, and alongside Justin Walsh, Adam Nikitins, and our team, we have been working to ensure Rex’s regional services continue through – and beyond – Rex’s Voluntary Administration.  As we shared on social media last week, we’ve been focused on ensuring our regional network operates without disruption and I’m proud to say that since Wednesday last week, we’ve carried thousands of passengers across hundreds of sectors.

The Albanese Government will strengthen competitive settings through an open approach to market for the Sydney Airport Slot Manager, as part of overarching reforms to the slot system at Sydney Airport. The competitive tender to be released today (Monday 5 August) will require prospective slot managers to demonstrate how they will deliver on the Government reforms announced earlier this year, following recommendations from the Harris Review and the ACCC.

Farmers have renewed calls for meaningful competition reform as experts warn the aviation sector faces similar problems to the supermarket sector ... While Rex’s regional routes were still in operation, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the similarities between aviation and supermarket concentration were too big to ignore.

Chris Murray. Growing up on Lord Howe during the halcyon days of the flying boats, the Lord Howe waterfront seemed like a sea of tranquillity: cheerful crowds congregated at the jetty to greet and farewell passengers; flower leis were romantically cast into the lagoon by departing passengers; Hawaiian music was piped in the vicinity of the jetty; and it all happened against the backdrop of Lord Howe’s opalescent lagoon and towering southern mountains… surely the picture-perfect setting?

Councils from across Western Queensland are calling on governments to do everything possible to ensure Rex Airlines continues to service its regional routes in Queensland. We are alarmed at the current situation and what this could mean for the vital service Rex flights provide for our remote and rural areas ... These flights are fundamental to residents in our part of the world, and we need these services to be maintained.

Overnight it was announced that Regional Express Holdings and a number of its subsidiaries have entered voluntary administration. Samuel Freeman, Justin Walsh and Adam Nikitins of Ernst & Young Australia (EY Australia) have been appointed Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators by the Rex Group’s respective Boards of Directors.  

Today RACV has released the results of its My Country Road survey, with more than 7,000 Victorians providing important data on the safety of regional roads across the state. Potholes and poor road condition were the top issues identified, with an overwhelming 64 per cent of participants identifying these as the primary safety issue; up from 46 per cent in 2021.

Howe Tran. Moving is often deemed one of life’s most stressful undertakings. From securing a reliable moving company to ensuring the safe arrival of your belongings, the hurdles can be numerous and often overwhelming. For those relocating within rural and regional Australia, the challenges are amplified ... Find a Mover, Australia's national removalist comparison booking platform is stepping in to ease the burden.

Toyota is bidding farewell to one of the iconic symbols of the wide brown outback – the V8 Landcruiser.  Often the butt of well-meaning ribbing thanks to the over accessorising of the popular ute, the announcement by Toyota will end an era of motoring across rural Australia.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Victorian agriculture industry can propel the state’s economy and surpass $20 billion dollars of food and fibre exports by 2030 if the Victorian Government focusses on road maintenance, lowering costs and improving freight efficiency. In a submission to the Refresh of the Victorian Freight Strategy, VFF President Emma Germano said having a plan to maintain and fix regional roads would be key to reinforcing agriculture…

The over one hundred year old Taggerty Buffet Car has been a familiar inclusion of the collection at Donald’s Train Park for many years, having been purchased by Donald Lions Club for $2,000 around twenty years ago.  Once having held royalty, it is now being somewhat treated like royalty, with the erection of a steel shed cover to protect the historical carriage from the elements.

Metronet has released maps showing the preferred access to the three stations on the Yanchep rail line. A Metronet spokeswoman said preferred access to Yanchep station was along Marmion Ave and then via a new road called Botanical Blvd leading to parking facilities.