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The earless dragon, which measures up to 21cm (eight inches) in length, has disrupted the Queen's visit more effectively than Australia's Republicans, who campaigned unsuccessfully for her removal as head of state in last November's constitutional referendum.
We're pretty disappointed. We would have loved to have
seen the Queen land here.  |
Stephen Byron, Canberra airport manager
|
Plans to expand the runway to accommodate larger aircraft have been delayed by environmental questions about the creature's habitat.
Capital Airport Group, which runs the airport, wants to extend the runway's shoulders by
7.5 metres (25 ft) on each side and expand the turning apron so
that widebodied international aircraft can land.
But because the earless dragon is believed to live in the vicinity - even though it is yet to be sighted - means the group is
required to lodge a 90-day environmental application to make
the changes.
Too late
With the Queen due to touch down on 17 March to begin her two-week visit to Australia, it is now too late to complete the application.
 The earless dragon has proved more disruptive than last year's republican campaign
|
The earless dragon is a native of Australia's southern highlands region, southwest of Sydney, and is believed to inhabit about eight different locations in Canberra.
The Queen will
now fly from London to Sydney where she will board one of the
government's Falcon jets to fly to the capital.
US President Bill Clinton was allowed to land his 747 in
Canberra during his 1996 tour of Australia because his
plane, Air Force One, is a military aircraft.
But the Queen's civilian 747 requires a wider runway with a 45-metre (150 feet) turning circle at
the end.
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