Bruny airstrip to stay open

KINGBOROUGH Council has bowed to public pressure and agreed to lease the Bruny Island airstrip instead of closing it.

The council has agreed in principle to lease the airstrip, provided it will be available for general community and business use with no ongoing cost or legal liability to the council.

The council had previously rejected three expressions of interest to take over the air- strip and was on track to order its closure.

A report to the council in May described the costs of having to upgrade, maintain and operate the airstrip.

During public consultation a number of submissions by island groups stated the airstrip was vital and that it should remain open, and a petition with 138 signatures was submitted.

The land was originally donated to the community and the airstrip built by volunteers.

Shannon Wells, managing director of Par Avion, which owns and operates Cambridge aerodrome, previously told the Mercury closing the airstrip would remove a vital landing site in emergencies.

“Closing this airstrip means that for flights to and from Bathurst Harbour there are no alternatives available for pilots to land in case of emergency or poor weather,” he said.

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass he was pleased with the outcome and said council had listened to the community.