Point Cook air base will remain in public hands after the Federal Government on Monday ruled out including it in a general sell-off of defence land.
The air base, which has been in continuous operation since 1914, has been under pressure from commercial developers for many years and was initially included in a list of sites to be divested after a government audit found it surplus to requirements.
However, the government announced on the weekend that the heritage-listed RAAF Base Point Cook was considered historically significant and would not be sold.
Selling the site would likely have resulted in Point Cook disappearing under new housing developments as the nearby suburb expands.
"The Government is committed to retaining the historical and heritage parts of this site in public ownership," a media release issued jointly from the offices of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles states.
"[the Department of] Finance will consider alternate models for the site, including heritage trusts, concurrently with due diligence activities. The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to tell the history of this historically significant site."
Along with Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Fort Queenscliff, Point Cook will no longer be an operational defence asset, but will be opened for public access.
"Defence will continue to vacate these sites as planned and the Government will undertake a divestment process that protects their heritage through public ownership, under conditions that will ensure they are opened for community access and allowing opportunities for commercial use," the statement says.
Federal Member for Gellibrand Tim Watts applauded the announcement.
"I’ve said publicly, and within government, that my priority in the Defence Estates Review is that the heritage value of Point Cook as the birthplace of the RAAF is preserved and made accessible to future generations of the Australian public," he said.
"Done right, this process is an opportunity to increase Australians’ access to the RAAF heritage at Point Cook, which is currently severely constrained due to the significant limitations of public access to an active air base.
"Today’s announcement brings this opportunity closer to reality. I'm looking forward to working with the local community, the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Finance on this important project for Point Cook and our nation.
RAAF Williams at Point Cook is home to several air force units including the RAAF Museum, Air Force Cadets and 100 Squadron.
In October 2007, the Federal Government added the entire Point Cook property to the National Heritage List, noting that it was the oldest air base in Australia and the birthplace of military flying in Australia. Separately, Point Cook is widely considered the oldest continuously operated air base in the world.
It is not clear if the government intends the site to be retained as an operational airfield.
-Steve Hitchen