Yesterday’s extraordinary council meeting saw 27 community members attend the public gallery, reinforcing the importance of Corowa Aerodrome to the town. Pictured are Glen Jorgensen, Nobby Cofield and Mary Mcqueen.
A formal Aerodrome Advisory Committee will lead the divestment of Corowa Aerodrome after all Federation councillors agreed that the airport needs to remain operational, but that Council could not continue to operate the asset.
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An extraordinary council meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss the future of the aerodrome and to consider a long-term solution to avoid permanent closure.
All councillors agreed that something must be done to keep the aerodrome operational, but they were divided over how best to do so.
Mayor Cheryl Cook told the meeting that said a solution was needed to bring the economy back into Corowa so that businesses could boom again.
“We need to move forward with an entire model that’s in the best interests of the community,” Cr Cook said.
“We need to form a committee of like-minded, intelligent folk to come up with an option to have a thriving airport that Corowa can be proud of.”
About 27 community members attended the meeting, reinforcing the importance of the airport to the town.
Outside Tuesday’s meeting, Mary Mcqueen said it was the process by which the issue had been undertaken that bothered her most.
“There is no transparency,” Ms Mcqueen said.
“The decision to dispose of a facility like the airport should be up to the public.
“Why can’t they take the time to investigate thoroughly to come to a solution?
“The guest speakers were amazing; let’s hope there’s enough councillors who get on board to do something.”
Nobby Cofield said the airport should be kept at all costs and that before Albury Airport expanded, Corowa was considered the best spot to develop an airport.
Cr Pat Bourke puts his point across during yesterday’s debate over the best way forward for Corowa Aerodrome.
During a public forum held before the meeting, councillors heard submissions from Jacqui Wemyss, Geoff Lewis and Corowa Business Chamber president, Greg Ley.
Ms Wemyss said the Corowa Aerodrome Service Review, prepared by Federation Council didn’t begin with an open question, but with a conclusion that continued operation of the aerodrome was unacceptable.
“Every figure, assumption and comparison has been shaped to justify that outcome,” Ms Wemyss said.
“Selective financial framing is not transparency; we are told the aerodrome delivers limited economic benefit, yet the analysis stops at headline event figures.
“If council expects the community to accept this report it must first demonstrate that the outcome was not decided before the evidence was even considered.”
Geoff Lewis, representing Corowa Aerodrome User Group, claimed that the aerodrome was in good shape, and was a strategic priority that needs to exist if future investment is to be attained.
“We know that council is responsible for providing certain services,” Mr Lewis said.
“But council is also responsible for supporting local businesses, whether that be private business or government business; and the shire needs as much business as it can get.
“The runways are good, the taxiway is good, the building’s good; it’s not a capital works liability and when expenditure is required, the way to do it is via grants.”
Corowa Business Chamber president Greg Ley suggested the way forward was through privatisation and proposed an alternative pathway that has proved successful in the past.
Corowa Business Chamber president Greg Ley says the way forward is through privatisation.
“Sixty per cent of regional airports operate at a loss when they are operated by local councils,” Mr Ley said.
“There is no criticism of council, this is a specialised enterprise, which is problematic and costly.
“My proposal asks that council takes the time to test the market and undertake expressions of interest.
“It will take about 18 months to determine whether a private group would be willing to acquire the aerodrome and assume full operational, financial and regulatory responsibility without ongoing risk and cost to ratepayers.
“A local group does exist and is willing to put forward a proposal during that period, supported by the regional business chamber.
Mr Ley proposed a ‘one pound transfer’, where a conditional layering of a transfer to a private group is undertaken.
“It’s a no risk pathway, but it means that the group is not layered with millions in acquisition costs and is forced to invest that within a set period of time,” he said.
“We saw it with Corowa Distillery; the $1 transfer with conditional investment.
“The risk to council in a venture such as this is completely eliminated.”
Councillor David Harrison proposed a motion that Council establish a formal Aerodrome Advisory Committee to consider the options and lead the strategic divestment, instead of closing the airport.
The motion was carried 4-3 with councillors Pat Bourke, Derek Schoen and David Bott voting against.
