The decision by Qantas to withdraw from the Mount Gambier aviation market is disappointing for the city of Mount Gambier and the wider Limestone Coast region.
Mount Gambier is South Australia's second largest city and the State's largest regional centre, servicing a catchment of around 130,000 people across the Limestone Coast and Western Victoria. Our community relies on regular and reliable air services to Adelaide for business, health and education, including fly in, fly out medical specialists who support Mount Gambier Hospital and specialist services.
While the Mount Gambier Airport is owned and operated by the District Council of Grant, the impacts of this decision will be felt across the region and beyond. Reduced regional air connectivity has broader implications not only for local communities, but for the South Australian economy.
Qantas has promoted the Mount Gambier route as supporting the tourism market, and the withdrawal of the service is not a reflection of the strong performance of the tourism sector. In 2024, the Limestone Coast of which Mount Gambier is central, recorded $662 million in visitor expenditure, more than both the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island combined. Tourism supports around 3,200 local jobs, and this decision risks undermining an extremely strong performing sector that makes a significant contribution to regional employment and economic growth via our tourism industry. This should be a major concern for the state of South Australia.
While Mount Gambier is a popular drive destination, increased international arrivals into Adelaide present important opportunities for regional tourism growth. The loss of a reliable air link reduces accessibility for domestic and international visitors and risks missed opportunities for the Limestone Coast.
The City of Mount Gambier continues to advocate for improved public and regional transport services to support our community. A reduction in aviation services to our region further exposes the lack of bus services in our region, and we note the Victorian Government is currently offering free travel from Mount Gambier to Melbourne via bus and train in response to fuel related pressures. This lack of affordable access to Adelaide in particular further undermines the state-based economy when our locals and visitors are heading across the border to spend their money.
I understand the District Council of Grant has held discussions with Qantas regarding service frequency and scheduling. However, the limited service and flight timings have not aligned well with the needs of business travellers, medical professionals and families, this has directly contributed to the utilisation of the service.
I call on both the State and Federal Governments to play a stronger role in supporting regional aviation, particularly during the current fuel and cost of living pressures. Without targeted support, decisions like this risk drawing economic activity away from regional South Australia.
Regional aviation is not a luxury, it is an essential service. Government policy must ensure regional air connectivity remains viable and sustainable, recognising its critical role in economic development, social connection and access to essential services.
Our region deserves better, and I urge all levels of government to stand with the Limestone Coast community.
Lynette Martin OAM
City of Mount Gambier Mayor
