A strategic partnership between the LGAQ and the Department of Education and Training means nine remote Indigenous community airports are now CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) compliant.
Under the Indigenous VET Partnership Program, with funding from the Department of Education and Training, the LGAQ has trained over 39 Aerodrome Reporting Officers from Mornington, Doomadgee, Torres Shire, Palm Island, Lockhart River, NPARC, Aurukun, Kowanyama, and Pormpuraaw.
Aerodrome Reporting Officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of airports in remote Indigenous communities using radio to communicate with pilots.
LGAQ principal advisor for workforce strategy Gabrielle Dorward said using local resources was key to the success of the program,
“Wherever possible we have delivered the training on country, on council’s own airstrips and have included other non-Indigenous councils within the region. In particular - Carpentaria both participated and generously made their airport available for the practical aspects of the course,” Ms Dorward said.