A recently updated Civil Aviation Safety Authority report providing advice to the federal government lists Albury among 10 regional airports requiring improved airspace, air traffic service and facility arrangements.

Albury councillor Neville Hull has vowed to push Albury’s case strongly at an Australian Airports’ Association (NSW branch) meeting in Sydney on September 14, but will be battling for money against Tamworth, which is in the heart of the electorate that is held by independent MP Tony Windsor.

Mr Windsor and two other independents will decide which party governs Australia after last Saturday’s election.

Other airports listed in the report include Alice Springs, Coffs Harbour, Hamilton Island, Mackay and Rockhampton.

The level of radar coverage surrounding Albury has not changed since a ministerial direction was handed down in 2004 with surveillance at Albury down to only 8500 feet due to its distance from surrounding sites at Mount Macedon near Melbourne and Mount Bobbara near Young.

The installation of the preferred wide area multilateration network would provide surveillance for all transponder equipped aircraft and create an overlap with existing radar bases.

The WAM network is also not affected by terrain and weather and will be able to provide a high update rate.

Albury Airport has more than 270,000 passengers passing through the terminal each year and the WAM system could result in an increase of flights.

“With our fog issues and the weather we get here in Albury we should be really pushing for this sort of technology,” Cr Hull said.

“It’s not cheap, but this system is a lot cheaper than the radar system used at Melbourne.

“I am trying to canvas Airservices and tell them to put it into Albury.

“All we can do as a council is say we want it here, we are not putting any money up.

“If it’s being recommended we have it, we should be chasing it up.

“It improves all the safety issues and that is why the minister is recommending it.”

Albury is a member of the Australian Airports’ Association and will hold its 29th national convention at the same time Albury hosts the NSW Local Government Association annual conference.

Cr Hull has opted to go to the airports’ association convention.