Council stands firm on private airfield refusal

A private airstrip that has "morphed" into an airfield at Drouin South has been unanimously refused planning approval by Baw Baw Shire councillors.

The controversial Drouin South airstrip, owned by Terry and Christine Williamson, was again the focus of a planning application presented to council last week.

The Williamsons sought permission to use their property as an airfield, beyond its current permitted private airfield use.

Planners said the application was to "legalise the operations that have been occurring from the land as an airfield."

Mayor Michael Leaney said there had been a "morphing of what occurs there" and the intent of a private airstrip had changed.

Cr Leaney said there were now 12 aircraft stabled at the site, with the owners potentially earning up to $25,000 a year from rental fees.

It is not Mr Williamson's first attempt to secure an airfield for the Yuulong Rd property, with his last planning application to develop four additional hangars at the site refused in 2019.

Mr Williamson indicated there would be no paid staff on the land as the use was exclusively recreational. Operations would be restricted to daylight hours.

The property contains three hangars and sought permission for another hangar, a 20m by 30m hangar/farm shed and a portable building to be used as a meeting and club room.

There were 67 objections to the application relating to impact on surrounding agricultural uses, noise, increased air traffic, loss of privacy, safety, storage of fuel and possible commercial use.

In a report to council, planning officers said farming zone guidelines triggered the need for a planning permit for an airfield.

The report said based on the aircraft currently on the land, assuming every aircraft was in use and at passenger capacity, the greatest number of people using the land at one time would be 50 - but the daily patronage was more likely to be less than five people.

"The airfield principally serves as a launching point for hobby flyers and occasional use by emergency services. Whilst training flights and unsolicited landings have occurred in the past, these activities are proposed to cease.

Officers said the proposal failed to respond to the purpose of the zone in ensuring that non-agricultural uses did not adversely affect use of the land for agriculture.

"The application has also failed to provide sufficient detail on the impacts of the airstrip on agricultural land use.

"In particular, the application lacks detail on the intensity of the proposed land use and the impact of noise on community amenity, human health and agriculture," officers said.

Cr Keith Cook said when pilots landed at an unregulated airfield, they must have permission of the owner, which meant Mr Williamson was responsible for activities at the airfield.

He said Mr Williamson had the ability to redirect access to the airfield and put in place an aerodrome management plan to appease some of the concerns of neighbours.

"He needs to deal with all their issues and come up with a plan. There is a place for the two (property owners and neighbours) to work together but that has broken down," he said.

Cr Peter Kostos said approving the application would see it go from an airstrip to an airfield.

He said council heard in submissions that Mr Williamson was benefiting financially from hangar rental paid by plane owners so it was already more than a private airstrip.

Cr Annemarie McCabe said this had been a big issue for a small community and a lot of concerns about noise, privacy, risk of personal injury and being able to run a business.

"It is time a decision is made to ensure the activities being undertaken that aren't compliant cease," she said.

Cr Danny Goss said council had to consider the planning and legal advice for uses of farm land to ensure non-agricultural uses don't adversely affect agriculture.

He said there had been 15 years of existing use but that use was as a private airstrip, which was defined as a runway for aircraft associated with the owner of the land.

Cr Goss said council heard from neighbouring farmers that the airfield was a real issue for their operations.

"There are too many issues, too many problems and this is not compatible with the zone," he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said the application failed to comply with the purpose of the farming zone.

"This has long term consequences on the surrounding area. To see no studies in relation to acoustics and flight paths is very unsettling.

"A private airstrip is for private use and a hangar to store the plane. This is for five hangars and a meeting room," he said.