Moreton Bay Regional Council Moves to Evict Aviation Tennants, Converting Hangars for Community Arts, Social and Cultural Use

Moreton Bay Regional Council Moves to Evict Aviation Tennants, Converting Hangars for Community Arts, Social and Cultural Use

Moreton Bay Regional Council Moves to Evict Aviation Tennants, Converting Hangars for Community Arts, Social and Cultural Use

August 19, 2021 By Benjamin Morgan
AOPA Australia has today confirmed that a number of aviation tenants at Redcliffe Airport in Queensland have been given notice of eviction, following a decision by the Moreton Bay Regional...

AOPA Australia has today confirmed that a number of aviation tenants at Redcliffe Airport in Queensland have been given notice of eviction, following a decision by the Moreton Bay Regional Council to convert their aviation facilities into non-aviation storage for community artistic, social and cultural use.

AOPA Australia believes the evictions to be an aggressive act of reprisal, following determined advocacy by the local aviation community to call out excessive over-charging of aviation property leaseholds at the airport site by Council.

The hangars in question are currently home to eight local aircraft, who must now vacate the aviation properties, so that Council may convert them to non-aviation use.  The hangars are located airside of the aerodrome security fencing.

The move to convert hangars to non-aviation use, boldly contradicts Council requirements forced on leaseholders, mandating that aviation property be used exclusively for aviation, informing leaseholders that it was a requirement of the Planning Act.

“The association is genuinely concerned with the evictions and has today written to the Moreton Bay Regional Council, calling for an urgent meeting with the Mayor and Chief Executive seeking the evictions to be rescinded.”, AOPA Australia CEO, Mr Benjamin Morgan.

“I have today spoken with key representatives of the Redcliffe Airport Chamber of Commerce to discuss the situation and to affirm our full and complete support.

“It is essential that airports be available to aviation users as a priority, with the interests and objectives of aviation standing above any non-aviation use that council has proposed.

“Aviation businesses and aircraft cannot be stored or operated from local council depots, community halls, parks, sporting ovals, public pools, libraries or any other community property in the Moreton Bay region – they exclusively require airports.

“Non-aviation community arts, social and cultural items that require storage, are capable of being located in a vast number of compatible locations, seeking to displace aviation users from the airport is simply not an appropriate action by Council.

“AOPA Australia has today written to the Queensland Premier, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the situation.”, he said.

Benjamin Morgan

Executive Director - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia

Topic: Airports

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