Thank God there is no coal around Shepparton or our Councillors would be rushing in to contribute. They are hell bent on getting rid of the existing GA facility and building something BIG for large jets.
They seem to believe in the Cargo Cult phenomena expecting State and Federal money to pay for the new aerodrome while they sell off their 300 acres for more housing. And somehow there will suddenly be an amazing demand for heavy air cargo to justify the new one.
If they had used their brains (hard to imagine) they would have planned for housing developments to the west of Mooroopna and pursued a twin city model instead of allowing subdivisions right up yo the existing airfield boundary. They also would have taken the opportunity to lengthen the main runway and extend the cross strip before any nearby development occurred.
Someone needs to tell them they're dreaming.
Kaz
PS but they are going to start charging landing fees from 1 January to raise some money for the move...or prove that no one is using the existing facility.