A new base for GA businesses
A new “aeropark” development at Goulburn NSW has won local government approval, and will be offering general aviation businesses a secure and affordable relocation within two hours driving from Sydney. Its developers now plan for construction to commence early next February for completion in March 2011.
Adjacent to Goulburn Airport, the $15m Inland City Aeropark will offer a total of 30 aviation-related lots over an area of 72 hectares, with an average lot size of 10,000 sqm.
The approval requires the developer to upgrade infrastructure at the airport and includes sewerage, wastewater management, flood mitigation and all other services.
Total cost for the aeropark is projected at $15m, with an end-value estimated to be in excess of $180m.
Inland City Aeropark had been an unsuccessful bidder at the November 2008 auction of the 63 hectare airport, which Domain Corporation contracted to buy for $2.65 million with plans for a $25million capital improvement program at the airport over seven years.
Contracts were exchanged in February, with settlement to take place on or before 30 June 09. However the successful bidder failed to settle and the property has reverted to Council control.
Inland City Aeropark Project Coordinator Keith Sweeney says the proposed airpark is planned along the needs of general aviation businesses so they can locate their premises on freehold land with access to the aerodrome and other industry services. The company had doorknocked numerous Bankstown, Camden and Hoxton Park operators, and identified a need for secure and affordable occupancy with practicable access to Sydney.
The aeropark’ s critical design aircraft is the Fairchild Metroliner III, which is at the upper weight scale for general aviation category aircraft and ensures GA needs will be amply catered for. Twenty metre wide taxiways will offer aircraft access throughout the aeropark, and roadway access is also on offer.
Mr, Sweeney says: “Attractions to businesses include the only freehold title general aviation land for sale on the east coast of Australia. Its propinquity to the gigantic and now fully approved AU$1bn Southern Distribution Hub will ensure the success of the ‘Aerotropolis’ concept, which includes road, rail & air. The Hub development will commence construction with a major highway interchange, which will upgrade heavy vehicle access from the Hume Highway to the hub development site, Goulburn Airport and Inland City Aeropark.
“Both State and Federal governments are soon to publicly announce their future plans for freight and logistics opportunities in the Southern Tablelands, so locating general aviation operations to Inland City Aeropark makes real sense.
“Goulburn is now perfectly placed to plan and develop a comprehensive aviation precinct, which will offer itself as a viable alternative to the Sydney Basin’s general aviation location concerns. Inland City Aeropark seeks to liaise with Goulburn Mulwaree Council in the preparation of a 20 year Airport Master Plan and assist with airport operations to ensure a compatible fit between the local community and aviation in general.”
This is fabulous news for the Goulburn community. We need employment and any investment such as this is good for all of us.
Rob Cumming, do you suggest the airport is left as it is? There are always those who do not like progress and change but this is one change that is a positive and will have a positive impact on Goulburn as a whole.
We need to attract young families and new residents to our city and as far as we can tell this will only improve the prospects for growth and in turn will benefit everyone.
I say go for it let’s get some developmnet in Goulburn. The Goulburn Airport is a disgrace for the people of Goulburn the way it is at the moment it is an embarasment.
We need jobs for our kids and to move forward.
Rob Cumming do you really know what you are talking about?
You don’t live here what gives you the right to comment.
We all need to work together to achieve progressive outcomes. I welcome anybody who wants to come to Goulburn and spend some money.
Look in your own backyard Rob Cumming before you comment on someone else.
Firstly, I’d like to thank Rob Cummings and Lisa & Philip for providing comment on the Inland City Aeropark (ICA) Development Approval.
In respect to Rob Cumming’s comments – I’d firstly like to point out that they do not address the issues surrounding the Aeropark, the benefits or implications that the Aeropark will bring to Goulburn, the Development and the business that will be derived from this project for the people of Goulburn and Aviation related enterprises, rather he has concentrated on Mr Sweeney and has cast his ill formed prejudices about Mr Sweeney in a forum in my view would rather seek clarity on the real issues and not the Project Co-ordinators involvement in the Aeropark.
Just so that we are all clear on the subject, Mr Sweeney is not ICA. If Rob Cummings had researched properly, he would had performed a simple ASIC search and realised Peter Webb is the sole Director of ICA. But as always, the most ignorant are always the ones to speak the loudest.
So I will speak softly for those who are prepared to listen. ICA is poised at developing an aeropark to enhance the current regional use of the existing Airport, with a view of turning this eyesore and non profitable and dilapidated airport into a cost effective standalone costs centre – a benefit to the current users and the businesses that will come as a result of the aeropark.
ICA has approached this development transparently, was before council for 17 months – was advertised as required and all concerned parties were given an opportunity to object or provide comment – all comments have been addressed in accordance with council requirements and are being addressed throughout the various phases of the project.
As to Lisa and Philip’s comments, they are both encouraging and refreshing – we are pleased to hear that there are those that are prepared for change and that they can see the real benefits to the community as a whole. If more people encouraged regional growth by external developers, there would be more jobs to encourage regional families raise their children in regional areas – and have beneficial recurring effect on the community as a whole.
One lesson from this all – he who is prepared to cast stones – must be prepared to do battle – Peter Webb (ICA Director)
After receiving other input we were concerned that our reporting may not have been accurate, so we sent a query to the Goulburn City Council askng for clarification. Council has now confirmed that as we reported, the land under development is adjacent to the airport and not on airport land, but there will be an approval to connect it by taxiways to the airport apron and the runways. We understand however that the stated time frames may be a a little optimistic because various approvals still have to be obtained.
Paul Phelan