BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
ISSUE 859 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014
Relay for a cure THE Mad Hatters are back in action this weekend as they take to the track for the annual Bendigo Relay for Life. • Story: Page 5
HAT TRICK: Sammy Cartwright, Amie Wilson, Karen Wilson, Paige Cartwright, Joan Roberts and Noel Roberts.
GROUNDED
By ANTHONY RADFORD
PLANS for Bendigo’s first commercial airline have been scrapped, adding fuel to the campaign to redevelop the city’s airport. Goldair launched with much fanfare in 2012, with plans to begin commercial flights to Melbourne in early 2013. Despite numerous announcements of imminent start dates throughout last year, the company’s
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Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
Goldair plan fails to take off
financial backers have finally pulled the pin. Spokesperson Donna Clarke said Bendigo’s outdated airport was a major part of the company’s decision. “We hadn’t been able to secure an aircraft that is able to land at Bendigo given the restrictive size of
CFA in limbo – Page 3
its runway,” she said. “We have been looking in Australia and overseas for a suitable aircraft and doing homework in regards to passenger numbers. “We were able to find an aircraft, but the cost of that aircraft, and its size, meant the money just wasn’t in it.
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“The bottom line is the passenger numbers were not high enough to cover the costs of setting up the operation. “The numbers just don’t stack up.” Ms Clarke said locals also struggled to embrace the concept of a regular Melbourne route.
Bendigo treasures go to auction – Page 5
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“It is also a case of not just the redevelopment, but you have to raise the whole idea of travel, people need to change their habits to embrace this,” she said. “As Bendigo grows, this will also become more viable.” Goldair marketed itself on the Melbourne route, but Ms Clarke said that wasn’t a big enough market.
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Telstra services on the National Broadband Network (NBN) not available to all areas or premises. The spectrum device is a trade mark of Telstra Corporation Limited ABN 33 051 775 556.
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