31 Jul Katter welcomes new RFDS and LifeFlight Mount Isa base – funded by resource sector

The Mount Isa-based Member for Traeger and Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has today joined community members and leaders at the turning of the first sod of the new Mount Isa base for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and LifeFlight.

“This new, state of the art base will mean that we will continue to see the air support needed to overcome the vast distances we deal with here.

“Having access to a rescue helicopter with a range large enough to fly all the way to Townsville from Mount Isa, will have enormous benefit to townships such as Richmond, as well as isolated communities such as Mornington Island.

“They tell me that the base will cover an area the size of New South Wales – it just goes to show that the areas we talk about up here are just that much different to those down south,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter noted that the projects likely would remain unfunded, were it not for the contribution of the resources sector in the area.

“The State Government is going to try and claim all the credit for this great announcement; however, we mustn’t forget that it’s the resources industry in the North West that is stumping up for a large part of the bill,” the member for Traeger said.

“In Mount Isa and the North West we recognise the importance of the mining and resources industry, and I for one will be the first in line to go into bat to break down the barriers put in place by the bureaucracy in Brisbane to new and expanding mines.

“They just don’t get that while they are stalling our progress here, they are hampering the wider community benefit that comes with it,” Mr Katter said.

The new shared base includes an undercover area for patient transfers to road ambulances, combined office space to house all operational staff together, and the welcome addition of accommodation for crews and staff.

Mr Katter said it was also particularly pleasing to see that over the years the RFDS Crews have settled in Mount Isa, becoming locals in their own right.

“Great blokes like Sam Love have come to Mount Isa, looking for an adventure and to help the people of the region, but have fallen in love with all that Mount Isa has to offer, and settled in with their family,” he said.

“Not only has the RFDS gained an experienced rescue pilot, but we’ve gained a fantastic family to town.

“Professionals like Sam Love, deserve the best facilities that we can provide them, and I’ll continue to support upgrades like this right across North Queensland,” the KAP leader said.

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Photo: Robbie Katter MP with RFDS pilot Sam Love.