Council Advocates for Inquiry into Regional Airfare Pricing

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Council Advocates for Inquiry into Regional Airfare Pricing

Wentworth Shire Council is calling on residents, ratepayers, and local tourism operators to provide feedback to the Australian Government Productivity Commission regarding the cost of regional air travel.

The Commission is currently undertaking an inquiry into the “Determinants of regional airfares” and will host a community engagement session in Mildura on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

Impact on the Shire

Council recognises that while Mildura Airport is the primary aviation gateway for the Shire, pricing structures significantly impact the Wentworth Shire community.

  • Economic Development: Competitive airfares are essential to support the region’s transition toward a high-value visitor economy, encouraging interstate and international visitation to our local natural assets and major events.
  • Community Connectivity: The disparity between the cost of regional flights and the time required for rail or road transport places a disproportionate burden on regional residents.

Participation

Community members are encouraged to attend the session to discuss how airfare pricing affects their business operations and household budgets.

Event Details

  • Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
  • Time: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  • Location: Mildura Tourism (Benetook Room B), 190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura

For those unable to attend, formal submissions to the inquiry remain open until 15 March 2026.

For further information, please visit the Productivity Commission website.