A meeting has been arranged to progress mediation efforts between Northern Midlands Council and the owners of Launceston Airport over a current rates dispute.
Federal Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson said his single priority is a positive outcome for the ratepayers of the Northern Midlands.
“As I have already said publicly, I implore the Northern Midlands Council and the owners of the Launceston Airport to sit down and work towards an agreed and acceptable outcome for the sake of the community,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“I will continue to work in a mature and reasonable manner and call on others to do the same.
“I’ve organised a meeting tomorrow to allow the council to sit down with the Federal Local Government Minister, Paul Fletcher and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff in a bid to achieve an appropriate resolution.”
Mr Hutchinson has been acting constructively on this issue for more than 12 months, including meeting with council and Launceston Airport management and arranging for mediation sessions between both parties with senior staff of the Department of Infrastructure in attendance.
“Given the facts as they are, it is particularly frustrating that some are playing politics on this issue, instead of working towards a reasonable outcome for the sake of Northern Midlands ratepayers,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“Other airports on Commonwealth land throughout the country, including Hobart Airport, have been able to manage these negotiations.
“I encourage both parties to take up the offer of an independent mediator and take a leaf from the process that the Clarence Council and Hobart Airport have undertaken through an independent valuation to reach a mutually agreeable outcome.”
FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson
