IF we had a sensible set of GA regulations in Australia, and IF we had State and Federal Government with balls and vision, this is how Point Cook would look:
- The vision is PCK to become a hub for aviation related economic activity.
- The Point Cook base would be designated a historic Aviation Precinct in perpetuity. The runways would be maintained and planning laws put in place that prevent further residential development near the precinct. Noise footprints would be set in stone to prevent residents from complaining.
- The museum would be expanded and its status as the premier military aviation museum would be set by legislation and funded accordingly.
- The museum would be funded to include operational staff and museum curators to preserve and extend. the exhibits.
- RAAF would have a legislative requirement to preserve items of aviation interest and to supply these to the museum if so requested (aircraft and spares).
- RAAF staff could be seconded to the museum if required.
- Land would be set aside on the base for lease to aviation related businesses at peppercorn rents. The intention would be to build an industry cluster of aviation related specialist businesses on site- aviation welding, covering, fabrication in fabric, wood metal, etc. etc. etc. Attract businesses from YMMB, Tyabb, Essendon, etc. Point Cook becomes the centre for GA aviation, maintenance, repair, rebuilding and restoration in Australia.
- The flying school would be expanded and funded to appeal to all sorts of pilots, not just a money making sausage machine for foreign students as it now is. There would be a multitude of training courses available.
- The flying club would be expanded to include a cafe/ restaurant and to provide hangarage at reasonable rates to GA, experimental and RA aircraft and visitors.
- the seaplane jetty would be restored and seaplane facilities rebuilt. There would be both seaplane and water ferry access to the precinct.
_ there would be weekly/ weekend programs of aviation activity year round and a constant stream of visitors, both flying and non flying.
- Melbourne - serviced by Three GA airports YPCK, YMMB and YMEN becomes the centre of GA aviation activity and attracts more and more aviation businesses (this is called hoteling's law - you always put your business next to your competitors)
....and the end product would be jobs, investment and economic growth.