Brindabella Airlines

Peter Lloyd, General Manager, Peak Gold Mines

Brindabella Airlines' Monique Meijer talks to Peter Lloyd, General Manager, Peak Gold Mines to find out what their newly introduced Cobar-Sydney service has meant to his mining operation and the local community...

MM: Thank you for your time today Peter. For the benefit of our readers, can you start by telling us a little bit about Cobar?

PL: Cobar is most often referred to as the Gateway to the Outback and lies 3.5 hours drive West of Dubbo and 8 hours drive from Sydney. Our current population is just over 5,000 residents with most working in or supporting the mining and pastoral industries. Peak Gold Mines is one of three major mining operations in the area. Cobar is rich in gold, copper, lead and zinc.

MM: Have you always lived in Cobar?

PL: No. As a mining engineer my work has taken my family all over Australia including Cobar. We’ve lived in Cobar for 10 years now and have found it a great place to live and raise a family.

MM: How many staff do you have working at Peak Gold's Cobar operation?

PL: We have 320 staff comprising 290 employees and 30 Full Time Equivalent contractors.

MM: Are the majority of your staff Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) workers?

PL: No, Peak Gold Mines is a residential operation with most of our employees based in Cobar.

MM: Given your workforce is not a FIFO operation, what prompted you / Peak Gold Mines to form a partnership with Brindabella Airlines to bring airline services back to Cobar?

PL: Having an air service makes Cobar less remote. From a community perspective it adds to the amenity, liveability, and quality of life within the town. From a business perspective it's critical to be able to fly expertise in and out as needed to assist our business effort.

MM: What were the main challenges for the local community prior to Brindabella commencing its Cobar/Sydney service?

PL: As an employer, it is a huge challenge to recruit and retain people with many deterred by the long driving distances. Dubbo is our nearest regional hub and is 3.5 hours away while Sydney is 8 hour's drive, or a drive to Dubbo followed by a flight to Sydney. It wasn’t easy. It also presented difficulties for locals requiring fast and easy access to specialist medical services.

MM: Do you think Brindabella Airlines has been well received by the local community?

PL: Yes, the return of air services to Cobar has given the local community peace of mind knowing they're now only a short flight away from major services. It's almost a security blanket for our community.

MM: Have you travelled with Brindabella Airlines for business, pleasure, with family?

PL: Yes! Yes! And Yes! In fact, I’m using the service this Friday and Monday.

MM: Have you come to know any of the Brindabella crew?

PL: Yes. My overall impression is that it's a very friendly service that's keen to get behind the local community in more ways than one.You feel like you're someone that matters when you fly with them – not just a number.

MM: Great to talk to you Peter. Thanks for your time.

Peak Gold Mines was one of three mining companies (Endeavor Mines and Cobar Management Pty Ltd) to partner with Brindabella Airlines and Cobar Shire Council to revive air services to the region in September 2010. A move that has seen the service go from strength to strength.