Greens' pledge to shut Essendon Airport

[Blue Sky Baron]

Something to consider when you make your voting decisions later this month!!
BSB :ugh:

From the Mooney Valley Leader - August 10 2010

Greens' pledge to shut Essendon Airport
Election 20109 Aug 10 @ 12:02pm by Julia Adler
Greens candidate Tim Long wants Essendon Airport shut within the next term.
THE Greens have vowed to shut down Essendon Airport - no matter which major party wins government at the election.

Do the greens have a realistic change of closing the airport? Tell us below.

Greens candidate for the seat of Maribyrnong Tim Long said the airport should be shut down in the next term of government.

“It needs to be closed for the local community and whatever that takes needs to be done,” Mr Long said.

“It needs to be done now and needs to be done in the next term of government.”

Mr Long said the airport site should be developed into a “world class, sustainable community” as a residential and commercial precinct.

Closing the airport to aviation had long been a Greens policy, he said. “It’s been our position all along.” Mr Long said.

“We don’t say things just because they are vote winners.

“Closing it conforms with numerous aspects of our polices, not least our health policies, because of the noise and air pollution.”

The pledge comes two weeks after Maribyrnong Labor MP Bill Shorten said a re-elected Labor government would not close the airport within the next term of office.

But with the Greens set to increase their numbers in the Senate at the upcoming election, but highly unlikely to form government in their own right, Mr Long said the Greens would achieve their goal by lobbying whoever came into power.

“We’ll use communication, negotiation and consultation,” he said.

“We’ll continue to talk and negotiate with all interested parties with the intention of closing it.”

[43Inches]

“Closing it conforms with numerous aspects of our polices, not least our health policies, because of the noise and air pollution.”

Just ask them to prove how much pollution occurs at YMEN compared to the passing Tullamarine Fwy. Will they close the freeway down as part of their policy if it generates more noise and pollution?


“We’ll continue to talk and negotiate with all interested parties with the intention of closing it.”


All those interested in closing it (those who stand to profit) or do they include those that want it to remain open.

[peuce]

“Closing it conforms with numerous aspects of our polices, not least our health policies, because of the noise and air pollution.”

Thank God we'll be replacing those (how many aircraft) with residential and commercial property (and their associated motor vehicles, people, air conditioning, equipment and machinery) ... well known for not adding to the noise and pollution footprint!

Thank God for the Greens' lateral thinking :ugh:

[Worrals in the wilds]

...and Greens candidates never fly anywhere, do they. I'm sure Bob's cycling around the country on the campaign trail:}.

the Greens would achieve their goal by lobbying whoever came into power.
Which pretty much sums up the whole Green manifesto, ie to come up with crazy soundbite 'plans' because they'll never govern in their own right and have to implement any of them. It's just a pity that so many disgruntled Labor people vote for them in protest and give them far more clout than they deserve.

[LeadSled]

Folks,
The WATERMELON PARTY, Green on the outside, red on the inside.
Tootle pip!!

[Freewheel]

Don't, for a moment, think that the greens need to be in government to achieve even the most bizarre of their policies - if Essendon is closed, expect the same to happen to an airport near you. It is after all a green policy to restrict travel by air. They don't know enough about aviation to know the difference between RPT, private or anything in between. Until they need rescuing:*.

All they need is the balance of power in the upper house.

Look for a party that preferences away from the greens - there's a variety of sources but it can all be obtained from the electoral commission - and vote for somebody - anybody that puts greens last. :ok:

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Leady......
Possibly Yr best post for ages...

But......

Should that not be 'tootle pipSssssss'.......:ok:

p.s. The Greens...They'd go to the opening of an envelope at the mo.

[Horatio Leafblower]

“We’ll use communication, negotiation and consultation,” he said.

That's new! They usually just use political blackmail :suspect:

[Mr. Hat]

Million bucks for a house in Essendon don't like the chances or the airport sticking around boys..

Going going gone.

[OZBUSDRIVER]

The greens...yep, that dovetails in just nicely with aerodrome haters..I am sure that busybody from up the road would definitely vote socialist. Aggitators all..the ALP cultivates them easily as voters for the cause.

Wouldn't it be just simply stunning to refuse a seat to a green...just tell em to get on their bike! Couldn't handle adding to their guilt of actually contributing to the demise of the atmosphere.

Just like all the good socialists..more equal than the prols. Jetting down to their Dashas on the Black Sea coast while the prols freeze their collective tits off.

There was a time that just the romance of aviation was enough to inspire. Now, because of mass transit and cheap fares...nobody wants a bus terminal next door.

[Bumpfoh]

Hat,

wrong side of the freeway for those prices no matter what they might call it.

Hopefully won't happen in my lifetime and I live in Essendon proper and are "exposed" to aircraft noise, and couldn't give a rats toss bag about it, the nosie that is.

[Arnold E]

Just ask them to prove how much pollution occurs at YMEN compared to the passing Tullamarine Fwy. Will they close the freeway down as part of their policy if it generates more noise and pollution
Hmmm, have you actually asked the canditate his position??? I look forward to your reply:confused:

[The Green Goblin]

Greens' pledge to shut Essendon Airport - Election 2010 - News - Moonee Valley Leader (http://moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/greens-pledge-to-shut-essendon-airport/#comment-form)

[longrass]

All the more reason to vote Shooters and Fishers in the senate!!!

[Arnold E]

Green on the outside, red on the inside.MY GOD!! Reds under the beds.:eek::eek::eek:
What other "red " party has a policy to close this particular, or indeed, any other airport:confused::confused::confused:

[Wally Mk2]

...can't wait for the fight, keeps us entertained this idea of closing EN.We've seen this many times before it & will be a cold day in hell when the airport is cut up for houses Etc. The greenies haven't got a clue!
The Govt not too long ago spent $20+ big ones for our new Emerg 'shed'. Love to see that complex get torn down only a couple of years after being built with everyone disbanded with zero rapid response Emerg Services for Vic:ugh:.

Drive into EN these days & you would hardly know it's an airport. The only thing that would concern me if I where younger about EN staying open would be the 'Fox' I bet has ulterior motives long term about retaining several hundred acres of dirt for planes.
But for now it's pure entertainment this Govt crap!
Bring it on I say!:ok:

Wmk2

[alidad]

I look at this thread with three things in mind.

Firstly the brown donut advert at the bottom of the page which fits in nicely with;

the name of the leader of the Greens- Bob Brown (that's two);

and finally that Monty Python skit keeps flashing in my mind.......................

YouTube - Monty Python - Bruce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f_p0CgPeyA)

Rule threeis the same as rule one..............................................:p and rule five and six and seven........

[Rule3]

You called.:ok:

[John Eacott]

I don't suppose that the minor issue of a 50 year lease signed by the Federal Gummint and Linfox would be any sort of stumbling block?

The Groans really should be listed as feral pests, and dealt with accordingly :hmm:

[Wally Mk2]

John was it 49/50 year total 99 yr lease? I am of the opinion that 'Foxy' in some ways would like to see the airport close as such down the track & still have the lease arrangement,imagine what bargaining power this guy would have over any tenants on that leased land! He would have not bought into the current deal if there wasn't something in it for him 'if' the place was closed to A/C Ops.
I don't think the 'Groans' have any idea what they are doing here, just as well too:)
The 'close EN group' must be getting all excited about this, poor buggers they live in a noisy polluted dream world just like the rest of us:)

Watch this space it will change some day but not in our lifetime I'd say.



Wmk2

[Stationair8]

no
greens

no
greens

[Pitch Up Power Up]

i agree!! no greens!!!

[Back Pressure]

Don't you eat your broccoli ?

[Stationair8]

So where will your capitalist mates park there corporate jets then Mr Shorten?

Just thinks if the greens controlled Australia and closed the airport down we could turn Essendon Fields into one big marijuana crop, or a nice place for the boat people to live, hippy commune or even a free range organic fanny farm.


NO
GREENS

[porch monkey]

Organic fanny farm? Actually, that might have an upside! Really, If you guys haven't actually read the Greens policies closely, you should. It really is scary ****.

[Teal]

It seems that now all of the candidates are in agreement - they want the airport closed...

Pollies don't want Essendon Airport - Local News - News - General - Moonee Valley Weekly (http://www.mooneevalleyweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/pollies-dont-want-essendon-airport/1987059.aspx)


Pollies don't want Essendon Airport

02 Nov, 2010 01:00 AM

ALL candidates running for the state seat of Essendon have agreed that operations at the Essendon Airport should be phased out.

In a rare agreement cutting across political boundaries, Labor candidate Justin Madden, Greens' Rose Iser and independent Paul Giuliano confirmed they would like to see the airport closed.

The candidates made their stance clear at a public meeting last Thursday.
Organised by the Close Essendon Airport Committee, more than 80 residents attended the meeting and pushed the candidates not just on if they wanted to see the airport shut down but how they would achieve its closure.

CEAC spokeswoman Helen van den Berg said the meeting was a great success.
"Everyone agreed that emergency services was a key issue and they needed to be relocated."

Greens' Iser said she had written to Premier John Brumby and Liberal leader Ted Baillieu asking for commitments from them to make the airport closure issue part of their election platform.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? SCROLL BELOW TO POST A COMMENT.


CEAC and that woman are back again...

I guess they don't understand what a 99 year lease is. And no suggestions as to where the emergency services might be relocated and how such a relocation might impact on operations.

[Flying Binghi]

Reference the book out this year, A Climate for Growth, Planning South East Queensland, in the "Problems that need resolution" section there is mention of the redevelopment for housing of Archerfield airport. There is also this comment in the climate chapter "We are walking backwards into the storm of climate change"..:hmm:

Hmmm, instead of society moving forward, methinks we are 'walking backwards' into a green disaster....





--------------------------------
“ There is a fair amount of reasonable science behind the global warming debate, but in general, and give or take a religion or two, never has quite so much rubbish been espoused by so many on so little evidence. One wonders why. We live in an age where common sense and tolerance are supposed to be the basis of our system of education, but where there is very little of common sense and absolutely nothing of tolerance in the public argument about the climate change business. Perhaps it is that people simply have a basic need for fairy tales and doomsday stories. “

Quote via “The Climate Caper” by Garth Paltridge. Atmospheric physicist and a former Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research

[Worrals in the wilds]

Any housing at Archerfield will have to be on really big stumps. It must be one of the boggiest places in Brisbane, apart from YBBN of course. Council have already had to buy back a number of properties close to Archerfield at Rocklea that constantly flood now the drought has broken, and Murarrie is going to be very interesting to watch over summer, preferably from the top of a very large tree.

They've had bad form for allowing housing in known flood areas and it's biting them now, so hopefully they've lived and learned.

I like the quote, btw.

[Stationair8]

NO
GREENS

[B772]

It is also Green policy to close SYD Airport.

[Jabawocky]

The Greens are a waste of democracy.............................

Tell me I am wrong, even though their existnce is because of it.

It is the morons who vote that matter.......Moron is what Moron does. :rolleyes:

[UnderneathTheRadar]

Simple - get the 'close Moorabbin airport' activists onto their local members to explain that if EN closes, then MB traffic levels go up - including all night operations, RFDS, POLAIR etc.

Set the two groups into competition as to which should be closed (i.e. ok, we'll close one - just agree on which) and leave them to it.

UTR

[HarleyD]

CP,

if you are truely believing that Steve Price, alan Jones and Andrew Bolt represent an intelligent fairminded point of view on any policy matter you are just a wee bit right of Gengis Kahn. they may well represent your political beliefs but that does not make them right (then again I suppose it does make them very Right, but not correct)

Start emailing and mailing the libs, and the Labour party as well, to stand up and provide real assurances that the value of EN is recognized and preserved. we have 'safe' National party ( national joke party ) reps down here who have been approached to stand up for regional victorians and the value of Essendon Airport to all victorians, but they respond with a deafening silence, they are as bad as the greens for opposing every bit of progress and infrastructure.

Screaming 'no greens' and deifying Andrew bolt are both completely futile exercises. contact Your Local Member and tell them why They need to preserve this important state asset. get your mum and dad and all your friends to do the same. if eneough people of Victoria want it kept, a few snivelling NIMBYs will be beaten.

I have written submissions to government (state and federal) and outlined all my reasons why , my state , region, community and family benefit from Essendon's continueing viability. you should do the same!

Stop shouting about what bogeymen (bogeypersons??) the greens are, and telling everyone that Alan jones can fix it. Put your key board to a better use, start writing properly constructed and reasoned submissions to perple who actually matter, not bigotted journos and radio bigmouths, they do it to sell advertising and don't give a stuff about you and your soap box. Also earbash every pollie you meet about how important it is, they do listen, cos you can chuck them out if you and enough people share your beliefs.

[Turban]

I can't tell you how much I'd like to support you guys in sending those
m:mad: in hell...beware...!! Once they begin,there's no stopping them !!!

Don't ever let them approach anywhere near your fields..:=

Aviation is one of the beauty of our society...why do they wanna kill it so badly? :ugh:

Is it already to late for Australia?

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

Bet a lot of property developers around Melbourne have suddenly joined the Greens, or are making political donations to them to help make Melbourne a little "greener".

[konstantin]

CLX - You cynical person, you...:ok:

CP - Add a few other "secondary" people to your list, a la Tim Blair, Piers Akerman, even Terry McCrann. And you just have to love vexnews - they give everyone a serve, but Landeryou really hoes into the Greens.

Unfortunately 20% of voters in inner urban land have yet to read the Greens` policies and understand the potential ramifications...and Baillieu is about to cut off the Libs nose to spite Labors face with the preference thing. Not looking good. For anyone. Except the Greens.

But back on topic - the Greens would probably argue that RFDS, SAR, corporate jets and Police Air Wing could always be moved to Tulla. The littlies would logically head the other way. Certainly makes sense on paper...:rolleyes:

PS - Teal - "more than 80 residents attended the meeting". Don`t everyone laugh at once, now. Impressive groundswell there, not...sounds more like it was a noise complaint serial pest hugfest convention. :ugh:

[Turban]

I'm telling you guys . You think that's a long shot before they :mad: you,
but before you know it, you'll be crying for the loss of Essendon...

And after that...and after....

I'm telling that according to my previous experience in Europe.

Do something.Now.

[Stationair8]

Just think of the congestion on the Tullamarine freeway, when they close the airport and turn it into an environmentally friendly housing estate complete with numerous shopping centres!!!!!

Think of all those council rates, levies, development fees and charges that the local council could impose on the developers, not to mention the backhanders and brown paper bags. Think of all those dollars that could be spent on funding council fact finding missions to some far away destination over a cold Melbourne winter.

NO GREENS

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

FERTILISE THE RAINFOREST!

Doze in a greenie.:E

[Dangnammit]

You can't get into the forest, they locked the gate!

What's wrong with the greens?
I think that they are an intelligent, well informed, community orientated group of people that know what they're talking about.
What they say must be true, they saw it in a film!

Sorry, I meant to ask "What's right with the greens?"
I congratulate them on proving their ineptitude:D
Victorian election coming up.
Make sure you number every box in the senate and put the greens and those whom have their lips on preferential green butts last! :=
Did it in the fed election, will do it in the state one too.

[KIWI+PILOT]

YouTube - Yes We Canberra! | Greens Voters | Wednesday 9.30pm ABC1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH_MBwQhGgA)

[Stationair8]

Essendon to be closed to all civil operations and converted into a top secret USAF Military base, as part of the new Australia/US Military Alliance.

[Turban]

Great vid ! :D

I love the Angry Kevin one :p Looked delicious :}

[Ejector]

So did this Green Poly win ?

[Z Force]

I was under the impression that the land at EN couldn't be developed due to soil contamination. I don't know if that's correct or not.

[Undercover_Brother]

Go and write to Tim Long and tell him how much of an idiot he actually is. [email protected]

[Worrals in the wilds]

I didn't think to check before, but Essendon is listed in the Airports Regulations and therefore its use and sale is covered by the Airports Act, which includes the following requirement;

s(11) (c) the lease must provide for access by interstate and/or international air transport;.
So presumably any change of use would have to be done by amendment to the Act and a change of lessee. That's not to say that closing Essendon or any other listed airport is impossible, but it's a lot harder than the 'owners' sticking a housing development application in, because they're really just tenants on Crown land that is proscribed by legislation as being for an airport.

If (God forbid) the Watermelon Party ever run the country in their own right I suppose it could happen, but if that happens we'll probably all be living in caves anway. My hope is that the general population will be so sick of their crap by the next election that they'll dissappear back into the swamp they crawled out of.

[Andy_RR]

Worrals, I don't know what made you think that the rules apply to those in power... :rolleyes:

[Worrals in the wilds]

They do and they don't.

Sure, the government of the day can bend or amend legislation to suit themselves, but they have to follow the procecdure as set out in the Act, presumably sell the land off (unless the Commonwealth's going to get into housing estates), the private buyer would then have to get local government approval for development etc. It's not North Korea (or Queensland in the 1980s :}) where the government can do whatever the hell they like.

If there were a concerted push from Canberra to get rid of an airport it could probably happen, but it's not the sort of thing that can be done on a whim by the local MP next week, even if he's a tree hugger. What is important is for the local flying community to keep making a noise about how Essendon is vital, so Canberra doesn't get any funny ideas. That seems to be happening :ok:.

[skylane]

When the watermelon party decide to have it closed, they will grab Julia by the short and curlies, give a little twist and ask if she still wants her job.

Legislation would be enacted in a very short record period, if its not already drafted.

[Bounceferret]

I wouldn't worry about it.... it's not going to happen, unless another similar commercial (not training) airport is built.
Considering our current 44bn and climbing national debt, soon to follow state, there isn't the cash ther to do it.

I live about 5 min drive from EN..... pretty much right on final for 35
The only noise thats ever really annoying is POLAIR overhead at <400 ft everyday..... oh and the guy who's flying the twin SSE every morning approx 7:25 - 7:35 that's things loud! like an old magna with a cheap muffler

[Teal]

Would love to see Essendon get this....still being decided apparently.

Avalon misses out on $40m facility, claims Koch - Local News - Geelong, VIC, Australia (http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/11/12/225391_news.html)


Avalon misses out on $40m facility, claims Koch

A LEAKED treasury memo reveals Avalon has missed out on the $40 million state Aviation Training Academy, a leading local Liberal says.
Avalon Airport was bidding for the academy against Tullamarine and Essendon airports, but Liberal MLA David Koch yesterday said a leak from within government said the Geelong facility had missed out.
The school is to be Victoria's first aviation engineering academy, drawing 800 students at levels from traineeships to PhDs.

"I have been reliably informed the Government has turned its back on Avalon getting the Aviation Training Academy at this stage," Mr Koch said.
"There have been a series leaks out of the treasurer's office. It was brought to my attention that a memo leaked from the treasurer's expenditure review committee has put any announcements on hold at this stage," Mr Koch said.
"It's unlikely any announcements will be made before the election. It will be held over until after the election. Melbourne Airport, I was advised, would be favoured in front of Avalon."
Mr Koch said the Government had dropped the ball for Geelong.
"On the back of the Tiger launch this week it was disappointing to learn that the Government had failed to capitalise on this great facility," he said.
Regional Development Minister Jacinta Allan told the Advertiser the location was still being considered.
G21 lobby group head Elaine Carbines said it would be hugely disappointing if Avalon did not win the academy. "This region has got behind Avalon Airport and the Academy," Ms Carbines said.
Linfox's Avalon Airport manager Justin Giddings said the city had put a huge effort into the application.
"We are definitely not giving up. We still think is the best spot to put the academy. Tullamarine doesn't have a flexibility to provide the range of services. Avalon has got the greatest chance for expansion in Victoria and probably in Australia," he said.
Labor Lara MP John Eren said his party had been the strongest supporter of Avalon
"The Aviation Academy is still being decided," he said.

[Flying Binghi]

.

"THE Greens have vowed to shut down Essendon Airport - no matter which major party wins government at the election"


How goes YMEN. Is it still there ?..:)






.

[tobz92_ymen]

as long as lindsay fox is still kickin' the airport will remain, thankfully

[Flying Binghi]

...Don't think it's going anywhere!

Oh, i would'nt underestimate the shear stupidity of the Bob Brown lead labore party. They is well on the way to destroying the Oz economy. Destroying one little airport would be small change to them...






.

[John Walters]

Interesting FB "it is still there" but for how long. Here's something to ponder over.
The Gov't allocated $150K to carry out a study for the possible development and location of a new Geelong Airport with the miinister releasing his finding early December 2011, and surprise. surprise they are going to spend many millions develop Avalon East, you know the temporary strip used for the airshow which goes under water following heavy rain.

Geelong Airport at Grovedale closed down on 31/12/11, with Geelong Flying School having to relocate to a NSW border town. This alone is a farce as here we have the Geelong region with a population of around 300K without a GA flying school. RAA is catered for at Barwon Heads, and Lethbridge 37kms from Geelong, is to be given an upgrade with sealed runways.

Back to Essendon. A few months back it was mentioned by an operator from Essendon that he has been advised that Mr Fox was planning to shorten the main runway to 1000m in April/May 2012. which would cause problems for the private jet operaotrs based there who require a safe 1200m.

Will they go to Avalon along with the other Essendon aviation industries, with Essendon being used by rotary only.

Another wisper, the SAS have been conducting some activities at Point Cook, with the suggestion they may be relocating a training facility to the base. If this happens it could see all private operations being banned or transfered to Avalon East.

Another wisper, the location for the aviation training facility has still not been allocated by the Government, and the strong rumor is that it will also be located at Avalon/Avalon East and tied in with the Gordon TAFE in Geelong. We may see the RMIT operation transfered.

Oh,tobz92_ymen, Mr Fox operates both and will benefit enormously with the closure of Essendon with land value along with govt financing heavily the development of Avalon East.

Just somethiing to ponder over but it could stack up and we unfortunately see the end of Essendon as a GA facility, while aviation in the Geelong region gets a kick in the guts by not developing Barwon Heads, Torquay or a greenfield site in closer proximity to Geelong.

[PLovett]

Does not Mr Fox operate a corporate jet which is based at Essendon?

Does he not live in a desirable suburb of Melbourne that is closer to Essendon than Geelong?

Has not Mr Fox given undertakings that Essendon will continue to operate as an airport?

I suggest that the only way it will be closed is by political fiat and that is unlikely with the present Victorian government.

[Flying Binghi]

ref #59;

Hmmm, some interesting background that i wern't aware of.

John Walters, could it be the Greens are just being used as the 'useful idiots' in all this ?





.

[Dogimed]

Could you get the airport heritage listed??


The 1920s period saw the great pioneering aviation flights of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith who visited the airport on several occasions. In August 1926, 60,000 people swarmed across the grassy fields of Essendon Airport upon the arrival of aviation pioneer Alan Cobham when he landed his de Havilland DH.50 floatplane, flown from England to Australia. The airport was extended with additional land during the 1930s. The grass was finally upgraded to concrete tarmac in 1946.


Some notable arrivals at the airport include:

1956 - Olympics and arrival of Queen Elizabeth II. Airport staff directed 206 international flights down safely during one week at Essendon airport.
1964 - The Beatles, upon arrival, waved to thousands of teenagers from the viewing deck of Essendon Airport's main terminal building.
1967 - United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for the funeral of Prime Minister Harold Holt. Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport on 22 December 1967 then flew empty to Tullamarine as its weight when refuelled was too heavy for Essendon's tarmac.
1973 - Sir Robert Helpmann co-directed with Rudolph Nureyev, the Australian Ballet film of Don Quixote in F hangar.
1987 - Kylie Minogue films her first ever music video for her debut single Locomotion here.



Once an application for heritage listing has begun I believe the area cannot be altered or developed without going through signifcantly more hurdles.

Dog

[lamax]

Considering Tullamarine did not exist as an airport in 1967 it would have been an interesting arrival for Airforce One although I'm sure the old Bulla Servo would have been happy with the fuelling contract!

[Dogimed]

Lamax

From Yssyforum.net
This is a list of aircraft visiting Melbourne in December 1967 for Harold Holt's Memorial Service and is reproduced with the permission of an aviation enthusiast legend :

USAF/MAC C-135B 24125 ; Essendon and Tullamarine

USAF/MAC C-141A 70008 ; Essendon and Tullamarine

USAF/MAC C-141A 50263 ; Essendon and Tullamarine

US Of A VC-137A 86970 ; Essendon and Tullamarine

US of A VC-137A 86972 ; Tullamarine

707-321B N434PA Pan American ; Essendon and Tullamarine

707-320 N354US Northwest Orient Airlines ; Avalon and Tullamarine

RAF VC-10 XV105 ; Avalon and Tullamarine.

Indonesian Air Force Jetstar T-9446 ; Avalon and Tullamarine

Note that Tullamarine did not open officially until July 1 ’70.


My bold.

Dog

[lamax]

Thanks Dog for the correction about early Melbourne Airport movements, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of time between accepting itinerante traffic and the first RPT operations.

[Flying Binghi]

Some interesting hangers down YMEN way. Not the normal tin shed hangers like everywhere else. Worth a look-see walk around fer visiters..:)




.

[SW3]

Isn't the only wilderness between a Greeny's ears?
EN is the envy of many cities, a primary controlled airport with an ILS and a tram to take you straight into the city just across the road!

[vee1-rotate]

Does not Mr Fox operate a corporate jet which is based at Essendon?

Does he not live in a desirable suburb of Melbourne that is closer to Essendon than Geelong?

Has not Mr Fox given undertakings that Essendon will continue to operate as an airport?

I suggest that the only way it will be closed is by political fiat and that is unlikely with the present Victorian government.

He also owns a very nice helicopter which I believe flies him to EN at the moment anyway, so the short hop across the bay to AV wouldn't be too much of a hassle for him.

[LexAir]

The management at AV have just announced that AV is opening up for GA and circuit training. A by invitation only meeting is being held next Tuesday 24 April at AV to formally announce the opening up of AV to GA training. Could this initiative have something to do with the long term future of YMEN?

[porch monkey]

Nah, not really. Lindsay's just discovered that the only airline interested in getting milked by AV in one star. He's realized that he has to milk GA instead. Bit different to a few years ago, when he had the beginnings of a GA industry right there. And then proceeded to make it impossible for them to afford. I wonder who the invitation list includes........

[LexAir]

Oxford would have to be on the list.

[ramble on]

Breaking the rules about posting & drinking but here goes;

I truly hope that it is something that the new 'pro-aviation' Vic government has done to improve the 'value for money' at AV.

In a perfect world the SOB that 'owns' (rents) these airports (Essendon and Avalon) would have been given some structured guidance from the VIC Government Transport department about charging overly exorbitant landing fees and price gouging.

But cynical me says that the AV airport operators are just 'mining' another revenue source.

The cost of aviation in Australia is screwing GA and it starts with the bastuds that 'own' (rent) the infrastructure.

Essendon is suffering the death of a thousand cuts - slowly but surely being turned into strip malls and car yards. Avalon's pricing regime is outrageous and it will go the same way. Geelong airport has just been sold off.

Victoria has no mineral resources like its neighbouring states so governments have happily mined revenue out of the population by selling what is truly the peoples infrastructure to private/corporate business and then permitted the chargeback against the people for its use though tolls and fines.

The trouble with that is the tolls and fees dont get plowed back into the infrastructure and the infrastructure is 50 years behind.

Write, scream and shout at your ministers......please.

This country, with its space and distances, should be the leading light of aviation, transport and travel instead we are worse than 3rd world.

Even back country airports in India have fire service and a met man.
Esendon - in the centre of Melbourne - has none.

WTF!? I just heard a rumour that the reason that there is no public transport link to Melbourne airport - is because the government will have to pay a $2 billion penalty to the toll road owner for loss of revenue. Perhaps the operator of the Melbourne taxis also have a vested interest in never seeing this link happen and that would make any politician watch his back on a dark night.

On another subject - why is it that you can catch a train from Mascot (a couple of hundred metres out of Sydney aiirport) in Sydney to the city for $3.40 but it costs $14.60 (therabouts) to travel to or from the domestic terminal (which is only about 500 meters further on?)

Apparently the Macquarie Bank owns the airport rail line and gouges the users (passengers and airport workers) an extra $10 each way for the privilege.

Write, scream and shout to your ministers please......please.

Where is my medication.

[jas24zzk]

Rumours abound...............

Avalon has a rail link...albeit a ****ty one, but the infrastructure is there.

It was recently discussed, in and papers, and here (IIRC) that AV is dropping/lowering its charges to become more attractive to GA operations.

Given that both AV and EN are controlled by the one operator, hard to fathom how that may impact existing EN operators, whom traditionally use Bacchus March for training ops.

Been a lil while since i operated out of Bacchus (and i did so as a glider pilot, so my access was incorporated into my membership fee) but maybe the operators of bacchus have put their fees up to a point where the GA operators have kicked up enough of a stink and threatened to leave, that the operator has made changes to the AV structure to better accomodate EN tennants, and GA as a whole.


IIRC, linfox does not own EN/AV, but merely has a lease to operate it. On that basis, he has very little to gain by closing the strip, unless the lease permits him to make money 'from the land' anyway he see's fit

[GCS16]

Closing YMEN would be disastrous for country VIC NSW and TAS patients, not to mention WA infants flown in on the Rio jet.

Besides the extra 15 minutes freeway travel time (plus traffic make that 45 minutes) there would be 20 minutes 'traffic holding' at MEL plus additional taxiing time,
not to mention the lack of aeromedical facilities. Air traffic at MEL would be further delayed by MED1 helicopter flights (Air ambulance will not separate its Fixed wing and rotor wing OPS as they do not have enough medical staff) and where the ammo's go the cops go too (they share a chopper)

Greens voters wouldn't care though - Greens voters are all inner city dwellers, not country where the world actually is green and a healthy environment makes people $$$ - haven't worked out why greens voters are all inner city - any thoughts folks?

[Wally Mk2]

They won't close EN anytime soon. Too hot a political potato.

As for Green voters? Well true Green voters would be living in caves making virtually zero impact on the climate but I don't see too many caves around !

AV no good for AAV,too far away by road to the end destination,the Hossy's(fixed wing), & a road that's stuffed morning & night!

MB? 4get that place, no precision App & also too far away.

ML,maybe but not in my life time I'd say.




Wmk2

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Hi "Ramble", a similar 'economical' way to get out of SY is by the Sy Metro bus system.
Its normal fare.

Additionally, if your're a 'Senior', you can buy the Senior's Pass ticket, directly from the driver, and travel all day, any train, Sydney Ferry etc for $2.50.

Unfortunately, the bus service goes to either Burwood, or to Bondi Junction...
None direct to the City....
But, either one does pass several other links, rail stations etc. to connect.

Drift I know,.....
:ok:

[Centaurus]

Could you get the airport heritage listed??

According to signs I have seen, Wirraway Road at EN airport is already a listed Heritage area. Certainly it is one area that is really run down such as the former Galaxy Flying School building which is a disgrace of overgrown bushes, years of old telephone directories dumped at the front door if you can find it among the bushes. Not a good look for a Heritage area