Warbird Information Exchange

Today the civilian tenants on the historic WW1 Southern Tarmac were given 30 days to vacate their Hangars by the Defence Department, while nearby Asbestos work is undertaken and their own Hangars are repaired or demolished.

No alternative accomodation is being offered either temporarily or permanently, no plans or proposals for the tenants to re-occupy the Hangars at a later date, it now appears that the RAAF intends to close the airfield to civilian use in the longer term.

No public consultation on the future strategy! "Whatever" it is??

I understand at least 3 businesses and the local Flying Club are likely to be put out of business, and up 35 aircraft pushed off the site, including a flying school, vintage joyrides and the major Warbird operators.

A number of the Bellman Hangars being vacated are rumoured to be targetted for demolition!!

Despite an encouraging announcement in 2004 the future of the site has again become uncertain and shrouded in secrecy since the cancellation of the Trust and creation of a RAAF "Advisory" Council? in October 2005.

It seems "Duxford Downunder" is being FLUSHED down the drain!


regards

Mark Pilkington




Fran Bailey Parl. Sec. for Defence (February 2004)

The National Aviation Museum Trust will

manage the aviation activities on the site for educational, recreational and commercial purposes;

oversee the development of a National Aviation Museum at Point Cook;
preserve the heritage buildings;

ensure the local community and veterans’ organisations are consulted.”


(Don Heyward Sitrep4 April 2005 advice of TEG “progress” ) “In particular, the RAAF study may well result in a slightly different management structure than the one originally envisaged by the TEG; however, I hasten to add that we have been advised that, whatever the outcome, the original intent of the Trust will be preserved”.


(AVM McLennan Memo October 2005)
“To address the RAAF’s enduring requirement for the preservation of the RAAF Museum and the important heritage buildings and other structures at Point Cook, the Chief of Air Force has formed a RAAF Heritage Advisory Council. This Council will be responsible for providing the Chief with strategy and policy advice to engage the ongoing community interest in preserving the RAAF heritage values of Point Cook. I have the honour to be the first Chairman of the Council…………To ensure the widest possible consideration of ideas for the preservation and future development of RAAF Point Cook, the Council will be seeking proposals from individuals and organizations with an interest in the site. Once the new administrative arrangements are in place I will be contacting you again to seek your advice and proposals”.





(Teresa Gambaro November 2005 advice of future Defence Use of Point Cook)”As a further step to engage the ongoing community interests in preserving RAAF heritage at Point Cook, Chief of Air Force has decided to form a RAAF Heritage Advisory Council for Point Cook…..I consider that this arrangement will be able to address all of the issues of concern to my predecessor, the Hon Fran Bailey MP, when she sponsored the establishment of a National Aviation Museum Trust.”

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

That was always thier intention, the reprieve that was announced a while back just stank of bull-s.hit!
They should be ashamed of themselves, wankers