20 Yr commitment to continue Merredin's role as pilot training centre announced

3/8/98

A 20-year commitment to continue Merredin's role as a pilot training centre is good news for the Wheatbelt centre, according to Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan.

Mr Cowan said the President of China Southern Airlines, Captain Yu Yan En, made the announcement last week while in Western Australia to inspect WA Flying College facilities at Merredin, 250km from Perth, and Jandakot - the city's general aviation airfield.

"The WA Government's decision to offer incentives and support to this project in 1995 has been well and truly vindicated," Mr Cowan said.

"The college has already invested more than $25 million in buildings and aircraft and a further $5 million will be spent building additional accommodation and airfield facilities in Merredin

"At the current rate of 150 pilots graduating each year, the college will attract income of $250 million to WA.

"The college principal, Mr Barney Fernandes, has advised that eventually all flying training operations will be moved to Merredin, adding to an already substantial boost to the town's economy."

Mr Cowan said the Coalition Government's support for the project, through the Department of Commerce and Trade, had included a $1 million incentive and allocation of $225,000, to enable the Merredin Shire to upgrade power and water supplies to the airfield.

The WA Department of Transport had also spent $500,000 resurfacing the Merredin airstrip.

Mr Cowan also congratulated the Merredin Shire for its willingness to support the project, which included selling the town's rarely used airstrip to the college for a token fee.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9 222 9595