Council waives landing fees for lifesaving services

Published on 02 July 2018

Rockhampton Regional Council is continuing its commitment to support two of the Region’s lifesaving services with over $125,000 in airport landing fees waived for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS).

Airport, Water and Waste Committee Chair, Councillor Neil Fisher, today presented a cheque for $106,132.99 to RFDS and $19,396.55 to CHRS – an annual reimbursement that has continued for more than 20 years.

“Today I am pleased to yet again reward and thank both the RFDS and CHRS on behalf of Council and our community for their incredible role in assisting those in need of urgent medical care,” Cr Fisher said.

“We are extremely grateful for their service and by reimbursing 100% of their landing fees for the past financial year, we know this extra cash in their pocket means keeping these planes in the air and more lives saved as a result.”

Nino Di Marco, CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service for Queensland thanked Council for its support, which assists with ongoing costs for their three aircrafts.

“It’s through dedicated generosity such as this shown by the Rockhampton Regional Council that enables the Flying Doctor to continue to provide life-saving aeromedical and primary health care services for people living across Queensland,” Mr Di Marco said.

“Throughout the past financial year in Rockhampton alone, the RFDS has flown 1,415,086 km, transporting more than 2,500 patients.

“Without the generosity of Rockhampton Regional Council donating its landing fees back to the RFDS (Queensland Section), and their staff members donating to the Flying Doctor through their workplace giving program, this level of service would simply not be possible. We could not be more grateful for their support.”

Mark Fewtrell, Executive Officer of RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service said the CHRS is tasked to over 360 missions a year with the average monthly cost of operating the helicopter currently around $600,000.

“It’s from generous donations such as this from supporters like the Rockhampton Regional Council that allows us to support those in remote areas or requiring urgent medical attention in Central Queensland,” Mr Fewtrell said.

“The Rockhampton Regional Council has been a fantastic supporter of the rescue service since we commenced operations.

“This level of demand requires an immense amount of community support so we may continue our life saving work and remain a free service to those in the Central Queensland area. We thank everyone who generously gives to support the helicopter rescue service.”

Pictured: RACQ CHRS Media and Liaison Officer Gabrielle Holmes, RACQ CHRS Air Crewman Dave Paterson, Cr Neil Fisher, RFDS Flight Nurse Peta Cross and RFDS Base Services Coordinator Patricia Short.