The future for Yarrawonga Airport on the New South Wales and Victorian border remains in doubt with Moira Shire Council working towards a public Expression of Interest (EOI) for the sale of the airport which includes 112 hectares of land, a sealed 1,200 metre runway with pilot activated lighting, a recently constructed terminal building and fuel facilities.
Following a public consultation process in October of 2018, the Moira Shire Council announced that it would proceed to an EOI with an intent to sell-off the airport, with the process commencing in June of 2019. Council’s proposal to privatise Yarrawong Airport has been met with strong industry opposition, with local aircraft owners and pilots concerned that a sale would destroy the local aviation community through the introduction of ever-increasing unregulated fees and charges.
AOPA Australia has contacted Moira Shire Council to express it’s concerns for the future of the airport under privatised ownership, calling on Council to meet to discuss achievable alternatives through a partnership with industry.
“We are looking forward to meeting with the Moira Shire Council and its airport management to gain a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties it faces. Our goal is to establish a partnership with council to develop an achievable strategy that would eliminate any need to privatise the airport asset, ” AOPA Australia Executive Director Benjamin Morgan.
“AOPA Australia welcomes a strong working partnership with all councils, in seeking to find ways to help make airport ownership and operation more efficient and sustainable. I am certain that the interests and goals of the aviation community and council are aligned, we simply need to get around the table and start the discussion, ”
“Yarrawonga Airport is invaluable to the local community and it would be a tragedy to see the asset thrust into the hands of property developers who’s focus would be profit – not community,”
“A sale of the airport would without question negatively impact on the local aviation business community, resulting in closures and job-losses. It is important that we meet with Council to explore achievable alternatives that can provide a platform for growth and success, whilst remaining under local government community ownership, ” he said.
AOPA Australia is currently awaiting a meeting confirmation from Moira Shire Council Economic Development Officer Karen Abberfield, which is anticipated before the close of May 2019.
If you’re not currently a member of AOPA Australia and would like to pledge your support for the association’s efforts to protect Australian airports from unnecessary restrictions or closures – now is the time. Join: www.aopa.com.au/membership For just $159 you can be helping fund and resource AOPA Australia’s efforts to secure our general aviation industry’s future.
