Saving Essendon

The RAAA urges the Victorian government to rethink its position now that it is clearly out of step with its federal colleagues and given the vital services Essendon Airport supports and enables. Aeromedical, firefighting, regular public transport, charter, and flight training operations all use Essendon regularly.

In particular, Essendon’s ability to allow fixed-wing aeromedical flights to land relatively close to major hospitals improves critically ill patients’ chances of survival considerably. Helicopters, while playing an important role, donot always have the range or speed to fly critically injured patients in a timely manner close to a major hospital.

Large firefighting aircraft, rotary and fixed wing, can operate from Essendon throughout the summer providing protection to communities in the nearby mountains and rural districts. The importance from regional Victoria rely on Essendon’s excellent facilities and easy access to the city.

There is an impressive business park developing within Essendon’s boundaries encompassing aviation and non-aviation light industry. Many businesses are thriving at Essendon. The business park that is developing alongside traditional aviationof these fire defences cannot be underestimated during any Australian summer.

Sharp Airlines provides the only RPT link between the economically important Hamilton-Portland region and Melbourne. This link would be seriously weakened by a threat to close Essendon.

In addition, numerous business and private flights to and businesses is a model for alternative uses of land within an airport. Why threaten to close such an innovative concept? Rather than attempting to destroy this icon of the aviation industry it should be developed further to provide ongoing employment and business opportunities.

Tullamarine and Avalon are not viable alternatives to Essendon given theirheavy jet and distance challenges respectively. Towns and regional cities across western and northern Victoria are voicing their strong concerns about any closure. They know what they have to lose regarding access to vital services.

Any government ignores these voters at their peril.

Every decade aircraft become cleaner, quieter and safer. A number of Essendon residents have remarked that they barely notice the aircraft as they arrive or depart. If the local residents are happy and regional Victoria is pleading for the airport to remain open, the conclusion is obvious. Essendon must remain open, be developed further and continue to serve Victorians and other visitors for years to come.

Infrastructure that is lost is usually lost forever. One only has to see the parlous state of Australia’s regional rail network to have a glimpse of what might happen if our aviation infrastructure is not supported and encouraged to grow. Melbourne has largely defended itself from the aviation ravages that now beset the Sydney basin, particularly with respect to general aviation. Victoria, regional and metropolitan, has an asset in Essendon Airport that is the envy of other States.

A long term, considered view of the airport’s potential will ensure that this excellent aviation facility, just 13km from the CBD, continues to thrive. n Australian Aviation is proud to be the official supporting journal of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia. The views in this column are those of the RAAA, and not necessarily Australian Aviation’s.

The airport is a gold-plated piece of aviation infrastructure which will serve Victorians and the wider Australian community for many years to come.