Liftoff for $2.4bn Perth airport overhaul

[drewbles]

There's a Public Bus that stops ~50 metres from the Airport West tram terminus that goes on the the Airport.

And as mentioned previously, there is also Skybus which may not be the cheapest, but it's fast, efficient, comfortable and runs like clockwork 24x7. It's also considerably cheaper than a cab if you're travelling with 2 or less people ($24 odd return on skybus vs $45-50 *each way* for a cab).

And there was talk around 10 years ago of getting a train line out there via the Broadmeadows line. All the residents kicked up a fuss and it was knocked on the head. Who knows what the "station access fee" would have been for it here

Skybus uses citylink so it's usually pretty quick too. They will use the express lane in the evenings, avoiding a lot of the jam northbound.

(and I know you know this serfty, just pointing it out to others)

 

[oz_mark]

I believe when the freeway was built it included some sort of clause to prevent a rail line being built. Or something along those lines.

'tis a myth.

While there is provision for transurban to be compensated if projects are undertaken that are detrimental to their financial performance, the building of a passenger heavy rail line is specifically excluded, and is a project that could be undertaken without giving rise to compensation.

See exhibit J on this page: City Link Legislation : VicRoads

(i.e there may be compensation payable if they were to build a freight line, or a light rail (i.e. tram) line)

 

[medhead]

Most FIFO miners do not reach WP on their work flights. They work a 2 and 1 roster. There is 17.33 roster per year, of which 1 and a half is taken as leave. So this give 16 return flights. At 30 SC's per flight PER-ZNE/PBO/KTA/PHE or 60 per roster for full Y, this means they actually only earn 960 SC's. Now the majority of the contractors (not Rio Tinto or BHP) use the cheapest fares possible, (and alot are now using Virgin to and from ZNE) this can reduce the the SC earn rate to half.

On the other hand the managers / engineers etc, may do a 9/5 or 8/6 roster giving them 24 return flights when taking leave into consideration, giving a total SC of 1440, enough to obatin and then maintain WP

I very complete analysis Reggie, that must be correct for those FIFO from PER. However, my experience of the PER QP was on a Wednesday night at about 10 pm. Not many PER resident miners waiting for their flights to site at that time. But it was rather full of the thonged brigade, as was my flight PER-MEL. The couple of BPs of the thongs wearers that I could see, were in fact WPs. I guess 16 return PER-MEL flights help push them into WP.

I agree with most of this except the stubbies an shirts.

Well I'm only basing that on the mine I worked at for 2.5 years and it wasn't FIFO. But there were a few AC/DC shirts in PER

 

[ejb]

Hi all,

What a person is wearing in the QP should not be an issue. I quite often walk in wearing HiVis as I am in transport and although I own the company I must also follow OHS rules.

Once inside however, I shower and change into casual clothes. Seeing someone near me in HiVis does not detract from my comfort.

However what should be discouraged is the "Friday night pissup" attitude of many in the PER QP. I have witnessed this from people dressed in suits and people in casual clothing so I would not classify it as a FIFO problem. As PER-? flights are normally 3+ hours heavy drinking seems to be the standard and the behaviour level can drop quite quickly even amoungst the "well dressed".

I think as AFF'ers we should strive for better standards and not better clothes.

That is my 2 cents so over to you.....

ejb

 

[Danger]

What a person is wearing in the QP should not be an issue.

By including reference to a dress code of sorts in their T&Cs, Qantas would seem to disagree. And has been noted above I support the idea. I think there would be a few unhappy people if, for example, some young 'ladies' wear wearing the sort of t-shirts famous American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch produce - like those that say 'My name sounds better screamed' and 'Who needs brains when you have these?'. I know, it's going to the extreme, but I'm just making the point that what people wear can - and I believe, should - be relevant with regard to Qantas Clubs.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

With all the new renovations going on at Perth Airport and Qantas doing their bit, is a new J Lounge going to open soon?

 

[Flashback]

With all the new renovations going on at Perth Airport and Qantas doing their bit, is a new J Lounge going to open soon?

I'm not sure on an exact date but Qantas did say there will be one opening in Perth, it may have just said 2010.

 

[thewinchester]

About time. Upgrade from the tin shed.

Fingers crossed about a train line too.

Good luck with that one OW+, as a transport nut in this neck of the woods I can tell you straight that its not going to be built any time soon.

While the 2024 master plan (which dates back to the earlier part of this decade) calls for a railway line routing down the Tonkin and connected from the Midland line, PTA WA have not even completed a feasibility and route definition study for it.

Additionally, and something which really makes my blood boil, earlier this year Rudd was handing out stimulus spending on infrastructure they offered WA AUD1 billion of that for solely for the construction of an airport rail link - no strings attached, and which would have easily paid for most of, if not the entire job. Transport Minister Simon O'Brien & PTA WA rejected the offer of the cash, because their thinking was our airport didn't need rail at this time.

This is an airport who's growth in recent years has been fuelled in part by the growth of LCC operations, particularly those servicing SE Asia, and who's passengers are more concerned with price over quality or status. Their travel options to the airport are generally get a lift with friends... or be prepared to pay uber-dollars for secured/long term parking or a cab fare which takes away from their discretional spending whilst on holiday.

And of course these decisions are brought to you by the same people who thanks to the change of a single road flow removed 3 of the 4 bus routes servicing the airport, leaving pax with only one bus which takes between 50-55min to reach the city centre. And let's not forget the remaining route still does not service T1 and takes you through some pretty depressing suburbs IMHO not setting the best impression of your destination.

Far more efficient to just catch a cab or use the airport transfer services available.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Agreed thewinchester.
I took that bus once. Never again. Going through the 'burbs before getting to the airport. What a joke.
IMO, if Perth wants to grow bigger and better, a railway line and dedicated shuttles from the city need to be put in place. And the current state government rejecting a $1bn stimulus package, well, they're idiots aren't they.
I keep having to pinch myself, as l've only been living in Perth for 4 years. Come on thewinchester, you know the drill, Sunday trade + later shopping hours are still be talked about, so is day-light saving.

W.A. (Wait A-while)

 

[Walter Plinge]

I can't beleive they'd revamp an airport and not put a rail line from the city to the airport. Why oh why isn't there a tram line going from Melbourne city to airport?
I smell brown paper bags a plenty.

The thought of catching a tram from MEL to the city just doesn't bear thinking about. I'd take the red bus any day. The tram trip would be an hour vs 30 minutes for the bus.

Tram infrastructure is hugely expensive and there are no votes in it.

 

[thewinchester]

Agreed thewinchester.
...
W.A. (Wait A-while)

Normally I'd be the first to stick up for WA, but I'm with you on this all the way. I mean seriously, when South Australia has a better airport than us it says something.

 

[Danger]

From November's QFF news (http://edm.qantas.net.au):

Perth Qantas Club Redevelopment
Commencing in January 2010, The Qantas Club in Perth will undergo a redevelopment to offer a fresh, contemporary design featuring modern furniture, fixtures and fittings. The refurbishment will increase seating capacity and offer various seating zones, business facilities, a new buffet with a premium selection of light refreshments, and a morning barista service.
​

No mention of the new business lounge though.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Sunday Shopping?
Thursday night shopping?

 

[thewinchester]

From November's QFF news [link redacted]:

Perth Qantas Club Redevelopment
Commencing in January 2010, The Qantas Club in Perth will undergo a redevelopment to offer a fresh, contemporary design featuring modern furniture, fixtures and fittings. The refurbishment will increase seating capacity and offer various seating zones, business facilities, a new buffet with a premium selection of light refreshments, and a morning barista service.
​

No mention of the new business lounge though.

I have to be honest, I actually like the PER Dom lounge as it is now - however it would look funny having two different types of decor in the lounge. Don't see them being able to match everything up cheaply.

 

[oz_mark]

From November's QFF news

I would suggest removing the link.

 

[Flashback]

I would suggest removing the link.

As a side note, congratulations on WP PG Danger

 

[Danger]

As a side note, congratulations on WP PG Danger

Very kind of you, flashware (as I look away with some shame)!

Back on topic, the WA Premier has just issued a ministerial statement (http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132794) that includes the following:

Gateway WA: A new airport is a priority for Western Australia. The consolidation of the Domestic and International Terminals will require an upgrade to the roads around the airport and will also provide an opportunity to create a more efficient and attractive entry to Perth city. Traffic around the airport is also being increased by rapid commercial development and freight movement in the Kewdale/Forrestfield area. This project was in our 2008 submission to Infrastructure Australia and is in the Infrastructure Australia Proposal Pipeline. It is now our number one priority at an estimated cost of $600 million with funding being sought to contribute to much needed upgrades to Tonkin Highway, Orrong Road and interchanges along Tonkin and Leach Highways.
​

 

[docjames]

I would suggest removing the link.

Why???????

 

[Danger]

I stupidly included a link specific to me (ie. it linked to my personal details). It has since been updated.

 

[Danger]

Not entirely relevant to the thread title but, for Perth Airport in 2008-09:

• Domestic airport dog team = five beagles, one labrador, six dog handlers
• Interstate flights = 15,748 per year. Interstate flights met with detector dogs = 90 per cent
• Amount of interstate passenger arrivals = 2,412,000 per year
• Amount of quarantine risk material from amnesty bins = 10,882kg
• Amount of quarantine risk material seized by dog handlers = 2,850kg
• Amount of ‘on body’ detections = 103
• Number of passengers receiving official warnings for breaching quarantine regulations = 213
• Amount of infringement notices issued for quarantine breaches = 94
• Average amount of seizures per flight = 2.3
• Largest amount of individual seizures from one flight = 21
• Significant items seized from any one passenger = 25kg cherries; 20 plants and five kilograms of fruit; 14 lemons; 25kg of fruit and vegetables; 24 packets of seed; five kilograms of honey; 34 live reptiles; 16 plant cuttings; 20 mangoes; 12 apples; three kilograms of grapes; and five grapevine cuttings.