Time to move on

The Gazette welcomes letters to the editor. However, shorter letters are preferred and letters over 250 words may be edited.

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Thank you for your report of the VCAT decision overturning the Baw Baw Shire’s refusal to issue a permit to operate the longstanding Drouin South airfield.

Many readers would be unaware that one of the finest grass airstrips in the country is located in Baw Baw Shire. Indeed it is the only airfield of significance in Baw Baw Shire.

It was constructed by Gippsland Field Days and Buln Buln Shire (as it was then) in 1981/82 on land set aside by the Williamson family, well known over generations for their community minded spirit.

It has stood the test of time over the past 40 years, is maintained in impeccable condition, and used by, a small group of aviation enthusiasts - at no cost to the shire.

The airfield is ideally situated along the Gippsland airways to allow for inflight emergencies and indeed all emergency services between East Gippsland and Essendon, Moorabbin and Tyabb.

The application to VCAT was necessary due to ongoing attempts to shut it down. Despite strong opposition to the application, including from council, VCAT decided the matter in favour of the airfield, which regularised the planning permissions for the airfield.

The determination and the logic behind it, is publicly available on the VCAT website (VCAT reference: P1279/2022 VCAT:00567000074) and was clearly articulated in the Gazette several weeks ago.

It was unfortunate this all occurred at great expense, both emotional and financial in relation to what was and remains a long term and beneficial community asset.

From now, we are hoping for and reasonably expect, the council will provide the final “sign off” on plans as directed by VCAT (on January 16) and the airfield operators and participants can move on.

David H Hooke, Member, Drouin Aviation Group