EDITORIAL: Tiger eyes Avalon base
16Feb07
THERE'S no doubting the scope for Avalon Airport on Geelong's
northern border is limited only by imagination. As Melbourne's
urban sprawl brings the metropolis ever closer to this regional
centre, the proximity of Avalon to the state's major population
centre spells potential, opportunity and more than a little of
Geelong's economic future.
The latest ambitions for the broad sweeping location is
headquarters to the budget Singapore air carrier Tiger Airways
looking to boost its operations into Australia. And why not? The
Qantas cheap flights offshoot Jetstar has shown Avalon is a viable
airport and Avalon owner Lindsay Fox is on a mission to sell his
site to the Asian carrier.
Tiger is awaiting Federal Government permission to operate domestic
flights in Australia - it already flies in and out of Darwin - and
could generate 1000 new jobs if its plans go ahead. Melbourne,
Brisbane and Darwin are understood to be its chief targets.
Avalon is presently home to Jetstar operations, jet pilot training
and aircraft endorsement, military and commercial aircraft
refurbishment and maintenance, and a huge biennial international
air show. It is a vastly different complex to what it was two
decades ago as the moribund Government Aircraft Factories.
Avalon has dabbled with several ideas in recent years; among them a
direct factory outlet, a Disney theme park, a wholesale vegetable
market, an international airport and a multi-tiered transport hub.
As Geelong's economy diversified from its traditional manufacturing
base, Avalon is expected to play an increasing vital role, both
directly and indirectly, in that economy.
The freight hub, once aligned closely with state government plans
to nurture and export `clean, green' produce from the south-east of
Australia, should be revisited by Spring Street. A Singaporean
carrier at Avalon presents perhaps the best opportunity for this,
to date, logistically difficult enterprise to be resurrected.
In the meantime, the prospect of enhanced competition in the
low-cost flights game spells positives for Geelong and Melbourne
travellers. It also augurs favourably for the varied industries of
the Geelong region as travellers _ business and casual alike _ find
it easier and cheaper to fly to Geelong than ever before.
The State Government and local MPs should put their full weight
behind Lindsay Fox's endeavours to bring Tiger to Avalon and
Tiger's bid to win Canberra's approval to operate in
Australia.
