CASA Media Release - Friday, 13 September 2002
New Cairns office
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has officially opened its new office in Cairns.
The purpose-built office is headquarters for nine staff who oversee aviation safety in Far North Queensland.
It is located at Cairns International Airport and was built and fitted out at a cost of $750,000. CASA leases the building from the Cairns Port Authority.
The Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, and CASA Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, opened the building today.
Mr Toller says the new office signals CASA’s strong commitment to air safety in Far North Queensland.
“Aviation is a vital industry in Cairns and throughout the Far North Queensland region,” Mr Toller says.
“In the wet season air travel is often the only way to get around and throughout the year it is a critical link for isolated communities.
“This reliance on air travel makes maintaining and improving safety standards important. CASA will continue to assist the aviation industry and carry out safety checks from this office in Cairns.”
Mr Toller says the Cairns office will also have an important role in helping the local aviation industry move across to Australia’s new aviation regulations over the next five years.
“Most air operators and maintenance organisations in Far North Queensland will have to make some changes as Australia’s aviation regulations are updated.
“CASA’s staff in Cairns will work with the local air operators and maintenance organisations to explain the changes and assist in the transition.
“By working together CASA and the aviation industry can lift even further the already high air safety standards in Cairns and Far North Queensland.”
Media contact
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0247