Council said it had initiated discussion with Coliban and community groups regarding its future.
“Following last week’s council meeting, council has received several community calls expressing positive interest in taking over the Cohuna Aerodrome’s Aeroplane Landing Area Licence,” council chief executive Tom O’Reilly said. “The community can be confident that the ongoing operation of the Cohuna Aerodrome will be assured and a new licensee with Coliban Water established.
“Although these discussions are in the preliminary stages, council looks forward to working with these organisations to develop a community management model that meets the community’s needs and is acceptable for the facility’s landowner, Coliban Water.”
Coliban Water's managing director Damian Wells said the organisation was not aware of the recommendation to council until the papers were made public, but acknowledged aerodrome's significance to the region.
“We know how important the aerodrome is to the community, and we’d be happy to explore the option to lease the land to a suitable third-party to continue operation,” he said.
“We understand council will not be seeking to cease the current arrangements until a suitable alternative party has agreed to take on this facility.
“Coliban Water stands ready to engage.”
But Cohuna's Peter Barker said the handling of the situation by council has caused issues for the community, mentioning a lack of consultation has been disappointing.
“There are two issues - one is that the lease has been handed back to the original landowners and the other is the license which has been thrown up in the air, and nobody is there to catch it,” Dr Barker said.
“It’s not like looking after your backyard. Maintenance for the airfield costs around $37,000 per year.
“If the airfield isn’t licensed, I can’t imagine Ambulance Victoria would be able land there.”
15°C