Tender recall seems to have been rejected

Tuesday, 26 May 2009 23:23

By MARK BOUSEN

Queensland Transport seems to have rejected Torres Strait community demands to recall tenders for the Cairns-Horn Island regulated air route, and, in doing so, “encourages Torres Shire Council to progress with Horn Island runway repairs to enable the Q-400 to return to the route”.

A Department of Main Roads and Transport spokesperson, in a written response to the Torres News, said: “Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is confident that the recommencement of Q-400 aircraft services would reduce impacts of the issues raised.”

The department took nine days to respond to the tender recall concerns despite on two, separate occasions promising to “absolutely” provide a response from the Government in time for last week’s edition of the Torres News.

The reply, when it finally did arrive following a further undertaking to provide a response, did not mention whether the Department would or would not recall tenders.

A further question on this issue to the department on Wednesday has failed to attract a reply by the time of going to press on the weekend.

It is assumed by the tone of the departmental statement that there will be no recall or maybe they’re leaving their options open.

Torres Strait leaders called for the Cairns-Horn Island regulated air route tender to be recalled, only 12 months after the five-year contract was awarded to QantasLink from April 1 last year.

The leaders say the current service is “totally unsatisfactory”.

They cite the slow delivery of mail, the recently introduced $10/kg excess baggage charge, and the recent situation where the luggage for one flight was left on Horn Island.

Torres Shire Mayor Pedro Stephen, TSIRC Mayor Fred Gela and community leader Peter Chapman and prominent businessman Peter Ahloy say the tender should be recalled.

Mayor Stephen said the community wonders who is regulating the route.

“Is QantasLink doing it by themselves? And the (State) Government is not listening to the users and the community.”

(Torres Shire operates the Horn Island airport.)

The spokesperson said: “The Department encourages Torres Shire Council to progress with Horn Island runway repairs to enable the Q-400 to return to the route, enhancing the movement of mail and freight, increasing passenger capacity and resulting in a shorter travel time with greater discounts for travellers.

“The Queensland Government has confirmed a financial commitment to the upgrade works, promising $1 million.

“Departmental officers have met with stakeholders, such as the Torres Shire Council and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, about the runway upgrade, encouraging works to commence as soon as possible.

“It is understood Torres Shire Council is finalising project scope and funding options.”

In relation to the mail arrangements, the spokesperson says Torres Strait mail arrangements is the responsibility of Australia Post.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads understands that QantasLink is under no contractual obligation to provide this service. However, QantasLink has offered to assist Australia Post with the on-going delivery of mail to and from Torres Strait’s communities, providing mail ‘seat packs’ within the aircraft from mid-May.

“These seat packs will enable the movement of an additional 100 kilograms per pack.”

In relation to the excess baggage charge, the department says this is a Qantas Group corporate decision, with charges applied across the domestic and international Qantas/QantasLink network.

“This is a very similar policy to that used by the majority of airlines worldwide,” the spokesperson said.