One of Victoria’s most picturesque and well-patronised airfields, Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges, is under threat of closure as the shire considers its options for the future.
The airfield was established 46 years ago, after the land was bequeathed to the council and has since been operated by the Kyneton Aero Club under an agreement with Macedon Ranges Shire. It is the only publicly-owned airport in the municipality and has two runways, one sealed.
Kyneton Aero Club and its president Matt Henderson have made a submission to the council, which is set to make its decision on June 27, and are calling for the local and aviation communities to get behind the push to keep it open.
“A lot of community groups have relationships with the airfield, not just the aero club. The RSL, Antique Aircraft Association, the Cancer Council, Scouts, RAAF Museum and the Air Force Cadets have all made use of the airfield from time to time. The aero club alone has 143 members, so it’s quite sizable and active. It also gets used a bit by fire bombers in the bushfire season."
Macedon Ranges council is currently considering four options:
- Close the airfield
- Relocate
- Retain as is (do nothing)
- Retain with development
Ironically, the issue was brought to light by the aero club itself.
“Early last year the aero club approached the council about working together on a grant submission for development,” Henderson explained. “As it turned out, the council had no corporate plan for the airfield, so we’ve created a rod for our own back by asking the council to think about development."
To date, there has not been a massive backlash against the airport; just a small petition some time ago. However, like other airfields in the same situation, the only people who know what happens over the fence are those who use it, or those who hate it. Part of the Kyneton Aero Club’s campaign will be to rectify that problem.
“The council put the four options together and we have responded to it,” said Henderson. “We’ve been trying to raise the profile and inform the general public of the benefits to the community.”
Kyneton does have one advantage on its side: the land has not been earmarked for housing development. Being squeezed between a freeway and a sewerage treatment plant, it is not land that would be ideal to move families into, but it might just be the saving grace of the airfield.
Submissions to council need to be in by this Friday June 1, and the aero club also has available a form letter expressing support for retaining the airfield for people to fill in their details and mail to Macedon Shire. Further details president@kynetonaeroclub.org.