Mount Isa bus and air subsidies guaranteed for five more years

The State Government today announced it would continue the annual $4.4 million subsidised air and bus transport services for Mount Isa for a further five years.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Minister, Paul Lucas, said State Cabinet had this week approved the ongoing annual funding, which subsidies more than 110,000 trips a year.

Arriving today to tour the northwest following an invitation from Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan, Mr Lucas said the existing contracts, which expired on June 30, had been extended for six months while new service contracts were developed.

Mr Lucas also announced that Mount Isa’s first wheelchair accessible taxi, funded by a State Government grant of about $80,000, was being fitted out to begin service in the town. The vehicle would provide normal taxi services when not needed by a wheelchair passenger.

“The State Government is committed to delivering the services that meet the needs of Mount Isa and the Gulf,” Mr Lucas said.

“I’m aware there has been some concern about what might happen when the contracts expired. I'm keen to reassure the local community that the government will keep affordable transport going in this region.”

Mrs Kiernan said the bus and air subsidies had helped more than 110,000 Mount Isa passengers travel in 2006-07.

“The funding includes $3.2 million for air services and $1.2 million for long distance bus services,” Mrs Kiernan said.

Mrs Kiernan said the 110,000 passengers included:

• Air – 60,700 passengers on about 936 services
• Coach – 49 900 passengers on about 1,460 services, travelling more than 1.4 million kilometre

Mr Lucas said Mount Isa's first wheelchair taxi would be on the streets within a week to make life a little easier for people with restricted mobility and shorten waiting times for all taxi patrons.

The new Toyota HiAce Commuter taxi would be operated by existing taxi licensee Tony Midgley. It would be equipped with the latest security cameras and was capable of carrying two wheelchair passengers at once. When not needed for wheelchairs, it could carry up to 10 people at a time.

“The taxi was funded by the government under the Accessible Taxis Queensland (ATQ) program that is providing wheelchair cabs to around 80 regional communities that have a taxi service but no accessible vehicle,” Mr Lucas said.

“It comes on top of the wheelchair taxis we have provided in the past few weeks for Cloncurry and Kurumba.”

Mr Kiernan said the wheelchair taxis were a major mobility boost.

“Many people with mobility problems don't drive so they need to get a lift from a friend or family member or catch a taxi – it's a major issue for them,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“The new wheelchair-friendly vehicle gives these people a level of mobility they have not had without having to rely on others.”

While in the region, Mr Lucas will officially switch on the new Camooweal Airport solar-powered runway lights. The State Government contributed $53,000 to the $115,000 jointly funded project with Mount Isa City Council to install the lighting and construct the new animal proof perimeter fence around the airstrip.

“These lights and the perimeter fencing make night landing at Camooweal much safer. That is very important for Royal Flying Doctor Services that may need to use the airstrip in emergencies,” Mr Lucas said.

He said the government had also contributed to the recent upgrade of Gregory Downs airport to ensure it provides 24-hour safe access for the Flying Doctor.

The government contributed $402,000 from its Regional Airports Development Scheme to the Burke Shire Council's $1 million upgrade of the runway and provision of solar runway lighting at Gregory Downs.

Media inquiries

Minister Lucas’ office: Robert Hoge 3237 1942 0419 757 868

Member for Mount Isa: 4742 5149