LEADERS in politics, aviation and council have been in talks to negotiate a plan that would see Tamworth as the first city in Australia to open to international visitors.
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The idea has been driven by Sigma Aerospace and CAE pilot training at Tamworth Airport after border closures locked clients out of the country.
Representatives from the companies, Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton, Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray and the leadership team all sat down on Wednesday afternoon to talk logistics.
"There's a strong push now to get the international students up and running again, what CAE and Sigma are trying to do is have their pilots considered in the same batch and they would quarantine in either Tamworth or Sydney," Cr Murray said.
"Most likely they would fly into Sydney and charter from there.
"We saw the successful quarantine of the NZ Warriors footy players which worked well, the problem is that if we can't 40 to 50 jobs will be lost in Tamworth in the next few weeks."
The next steps are to lobby Minister Peter Dutton for an exemption to have international pilot training students enter Australia to quarantine in Tamworth.
The students would spend 14 days at the CAE facility which is secure, and self-sufficient with its own cleaners, food service and individual rooms.
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The meeting was informative but it won't be a walk in the park to get the plan across the line, Mr Joyce said.
"We got one through Dutton's office for the Warriors, this will be a similar deal to use the Warriors as a template to do it again," he said.
"CAE will have to show protocols for dealing with the disease and the key issues in that regard revolve around keeping students in isolation through customs in Sydney and straight to the facility in Tamworth.
"We'll do our best, if coronavirus breaks out we will lose even more jobs, it's not an excuse not to do it but a reason to get the protocols right to minimise the risk."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
