The general consensus is that part of the problem with increasing costs in GA is tied in to the sell off of all the secondary airports.
Perspective is on the right track - few of you appear to be aware of or even interested in the non compliance by Airport LEASE holders of their obligations under their long term LEASES. Neither is our bureaucracy which is where the corruption issue is so blatantly obvious. Annual AUDITS, adherence to contractual terms, obligation under Retail Leases Acts etc etc. all covered in the LEASES but no one bureaucrat interested.
Archerfield chamber of commerce have done a great job in identifying these and many other shortcomings and now the Moorabbin CC has also come on board, but industry support is almost non existent ! Maybe it's time instead of complaining amongst yourselves about excessive charges you took the time to read the official Acts and leases and see who is ripping you off and who is standing by and letting them. Get involved.
As to the selling off of land this is not possible with leasehold. BAL and other Airport operators are permitted to sub lease to others by building commercial structures eg. Bunnings. Good luck to them provided it doesn't interfere with Aviation. (loss of runways etc)
As to establishing private airfields, good idea but who will convince the local councils, planning/ zoning etc when even at the Cwth level there is no support. Operators join your local Chamber or Action group as AOPA appears a total waste of time when it comes to anything aviation. A USA AOPA would never have even let it get started. Apathy is alive and well in Apastralia, long live corrupt bureaucrats.
"Empty Skies are Safe Skies"