Sunfish,
Are we still talking about MB? Start clearances haven't been required there for years, unless you're departing into CTA ABV 2000. Nowadays they're not even interested if you've copied the ATIS on departure.
V,
What was EN circuit training is now done at Point Cook, which explains the transfer in activity from one to the other. I doubt that many aircraft owners have actually transferred their aircraft to YMPC as the terms of usage don't allow it yet. If I'm wrong on that, you are welcome to beat me with a rubber chicken.
True, the EN charges are horribly prohibitive and I'm already baulking at the idea of flying in for a tower tour. However, I think the down turn would still be happening regardless of the charges. Clearly, the new fees have been designed to speed the move of private ops away from EN.
Walrus