Scone Airport Airpark

[KRviator]

So, as I have flown in there a few times, I got an invite to attend an info session about goings-on and discuss the future direction for the airport, landing fees et al. With their Hunter Warbirds, the airport is losing a collective $900K a year ($400K warbirds / $500 airport) and Council is displeased.

 

One of the things thrown out there to investigate was selling off (via subdivision) a 6Ha block of land Council owns on the NW corner of the airport, adjoining the road. It was mentioned the recent releases of Temora & Narromine went like hotcakes, and Council should look at this option a bit more, as not only would it solve the immediate $$ problem, but also provide around 30-40 new residential blocks with rateable income too.

So...My question to the masses is, "Would you be interested in buying a residential [airpark] block on Scone Airport?" along the lines of Temora ( about 1,250m2, freehold, zoned Residential, taxiway access, etc etc.). NFI on pricing, but would speculate it'd be around the $125-150K mark, which compares favourably with blocks in town. This is not to say Council would ever go ahead with it, but to provide a potentially viable option and at the same time, benefit fliers and bring in more families to the region to boot, if it can be shown there's sufficient interest in such a proposal, Council may well decide to do it.

There's no timeframe proposed, and this pol is not sanctioned or endorsed by their Council, but just something I'm putting out there to gauge any interest to send to 'em and say "Hey look, you do have quite a few people who would look at such a move, if you were to go ahead with it."

Edited April 19, 2023 by KRviator

[jackc]

And then the housing development residents will want the airport closed because of noise. Be careful what you wish for? 

[KRviator]

True, it can be a double-edged sword, but, from memory, it was written into the Temora DCP for their airpark development that "Hey, dickhead, you brought a block of land on an airport. There will be noise. There will be smells. There will be airplanes flying. You brought on an airport. So you can't complain about the noise!"

Or [politically correct] words to that effect. To my mind, it'd be a win,win. Council gets their $$, and they get 30-40 idiotic families like mine who want to live on an airport and are happy to tolerate the noise of a Spitfire flying aeros overhead.

[old man emu]

In this day and age, the thing that will sell a block of land in a new development in a country town is NBN access. That lets certain professions take advantage of high speed communications while enjoying a less hectic environment to love and work in.

 

Another thing is a modern light industrial area to attract businesses that are not tied to the local area for work. I know of a specialist motor vehicle restorer who moved from Sydney to a rural town, without adversely affecting the amount of work he is getting. I recall that some of the sheet metal work on Col Pay's Kittyhawk was done in an industrial unit in Orange. 

[turboplanner]

10 hours ago, KRviator said:

True, it can be a double-edged sword, but, from memory, it was written into the Temora DCP for their airpark development that "Hey, dickhead, you brought a block of land on an airport. There will be noise. There will be smells. There will be airplanes flying. You brought on an airport. So you can't complain about the noise!"

Or [politically correct] words to that effect. To my mind, it'd be a win,win. Council gets their $$, and they get 30-40 idiotic families like mine who want to live on an airport and are happy to tolerate the noise of a Spitfire flying aeros overhead.

Yes, you start with the Existing Right Use of the existing flying level, and then specify its characteristics which are to be preserved. Each structure then has to comply with those planning clauses.

[facthunter]

Wentworth has it and some other place on the Murray  and there may be others. I think it's a good option. People who own aeroplanes aren't going to complain about other planes. Nev

[old man emu]

Would Councils really like to retain ownership of the land used for this type of air park? They might like the rental income, but the maintenance costs might not be so tasteful.

[facthunter]

If they are worth their salt they'd investigate all options. They'd get a lot of flak operating at a consistent loss but we need such aerodromes.   Nev