Western Queensland councils are calling on the state government for action on regulated transport routes.
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The contracts on seven regulated air routes are due to expire at the end of this year and Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) said it had an undertaking from the Department of Transport and Main Roads last year to form a stakeholder group to provide guidance into the next tender process for the regulated air transport routes in regional Queensland.
These routes are subsidised by the state government and contracted to airline operators through a tender process. RAPAD says the terms of reference for a working group model have been with Minister Mark Bailey's office for six months.
"Stakeholders are asking why is it taking so long to review and approve the proposed consultation and stakeholder working group model?" Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group chair Cr Bruce Scott said.
The stakeholder working group was to represent all outback Queensland, and was to be established in part, to consider the outcomes and recommendations from the Senate regional air Inquiry, which is now due to report at the end of June 2019.
"An 18-month delay in the federal sphere shouldn't stop the Queensland Government from working with outback communities who need better functioning, cost effective, appropriate and accessible transport routes now," Cr Scott said.
A TMR spokesperson said factors including the Inquiry and the need for a consolidated review of all long distance passenger transport have prompted a review of the approach for engagement with regional communities regarding the future of Long Distance Passenger Transport Services.
"TMR is currently planning for the upcoming procurement process of the LDPTS across regional Queensland and TransLink will engage with all interested stakeholders," the spokesperson said.
"TransLink's aviation team will engage with RAPAD once it has gained a good understanding of the individual community needs and developed options and recommendations for discussion."
Cr Scott said a fast, safe, affordable connection was vital, so outback people can access services that are just not available locally.
"Services like specialist health care, grow and develop business or professional skills, catch up with families and friends and engage with leisure and culture outside the region are extremely important to these communities," he said.
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