Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) has come out fighting with a strong response to the local chamber of commerce, who has mounted a challenge to the approval of the airport master plan.
AACCI has launched an appeal in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal claiming that Transport Minister Anthony Albanese approved the AAC master plan "without due regard for the interests of the airport users and the community as required by the Airports Act 1996."
See the news item here.
Posted on the AAC website two days ago, the statement is critical of the Archerfield Airport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (AACCI) and the tactics used in campaigns against the AAC.
"The Chamber has a lengthy record of allegations against Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC)," the statement says.
"It has initiated several ministerial enquiries, an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, several investigations by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and a full investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. It has also utilized REPCON alerts.
"Its organized campaigns have included media alerts and allegations of safety risks to Queensland Government employees. In 2006 its members broke new ground by persuading the AAT to broaden its remit by investigating outside the sector of government to review Archerfield Airport Corporation’s commercial processes.
"To date, none of the Chamber’s allegations have been upheld. The present action against the Minister represents a new tack."
According to the AAC, attempts to consult with the AACCI have been "thwarted" and the AACCI constitution was changed to prevent any members or employees of the AAC, CASA, the Department of Infrastructre and Transport and the ATSB from joining the group.
For more information, read the full text of the statement here.