Commercial flights operated out of Corowa from post-war until 1963. Now the future of the aerodrome is unclear with councillors under pressure to determine its viability.
There is still no clear resolution on the fate of Corowa Aerodrome after councillors again deferred any decision until February.
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During the December meeting, councillors heard a report from consultants Delos Delta, which suggested a proposal from the aerodrome user group was “optimistic” and would require significant capital investment.
The user group, with the involvement of Corowa Business Chamber proposed retaining the site and entering into a public, private partnership for a major redevelopment and expansion.
With an annual cost to council of more than $150,000, plus safety and service maintenance, and with no clear plan for its future use, councillors are under pressure to determine its viability.
It’s been a year since Delos Delta general manager Brooke Dixon told councillors the challenges faced were consistent with 200 local government-owned and operated regional aerodromes around Australia and noted the lack of a long-term strategic plan and ongoing site issues, including potential for flooding and ageing infrastructure.
“The question councillors need to consider is whether the aerodrome is part of its core offerings, and could there be a higher community return for $150,000?” Mr Dixon said.
Last month, he said the aerodrome was consistently operating at a net deficit.
“If the commercials were really that strong you would already be fielding quite regularly some pretty strong formal applications for investment for ownership or purchase,” he said.
In March, commercial business owners based at Corowa Aerodrome, five councillors and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president, Ben Morgan met with Farrer MP Sussan Ley who said the ‘mood in the room was that there are opportunities for development’.
The council report noted that the compelling conclusion from Delos Delta was that councillors needed to determine whether the continued operation of an aerodrome or aviation services was a strategic priority for the council.
Despite the challenges, councillors were clearly torn and seemed reluctant to let the aerodrome go.
Cr David Harrison was adamant the aerodrome had not been promoted for what it could be and that the future lay not just in aviation, but in events.
“Hangars are maxed out at Albury, Wangaratta and Tocumwal … we have very keen hangar space users including one business that has been trying to expand for years but getting a clear message from council that things are on hold,” he said.
“We need the business chamber, user group, tourism, emergency services, everyone involved, because I can’t imagine Corowa without an airport.”
Cr Derek Schoen “concurred 100 per cent” and said the council had no entrepreneurial flair.
“There is great potential out there to increase landing fees and hangarage with an enormous shortage around Riverina for recreational aircraft without being in controlled airspace,” he said.
“Closing it in my opinion is not an option, there is demand out there; treat it as a commercial entity.”
Deputy mayor, Rowena Black also agreed but cautioned the need for clarity.
“We need to be really clear in where we are heading and what we want to do, not just on what people feel,” she said.
The point of clarity was emphasised by Mr Dixon who said without a clear statement of direction in which the aerodrome is heading made is very difficult to determine a plan for way forward.
With time not on their side, and expenses continuing to mount, the February meeting is crucial for councillors to make some decisions.
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