Goulburn Airport for sale

[Ham_SAAB]

16 minutes ago, RFguy said:

heard  from anyone actually at Goulburn airport , or associated with the council ?

glen

I heard from a friend that heard from someone else, so probably not very accurate.

[onetrack]

Goulburn Airport is still listed for sale. It's listed with Ashby York real estate agents, and is offered for sale on "an Expressions of Interest" basis. If the agents had a serious offer, it would more than likely be stated on their website. The cutoff date for E'sOI has been extended and extended again.

 

The problem is, this is a huge listing - both in area and in items included in the sale. The seller, John Ferrara says "he wants to sell everything he owns around the airport as one package".

This will make it more difficult to sell, as the buyer has to be in the big league. It's likely the agents are looking for an overseas buyer, someone with hundreds of millions to invest.

 

Regional airports by themselves are rarely money-spinners, it's the peripherals to the airport that pose the best return - land for subdivision, industrial/commercial tenancy building opportunities, potential freight/distribution hub. To develop these add-ons means lots more money is required - over and above the purchase price. It will be hard work trying to find a buyer for it.

 

Goulburn Airport on the market after 13 years – Australian Aviation

AUSTRALIANAVIATION.COM.AU

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The general aviation airport, which has been owned by Goulburn businessman John Ferrara since 2011, has been listed for sale through real estate firm Ashby York as Ferrara looks to divest from his...

 

Ashby York | property

WWW.ASHBYYORK.COM.AU

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Welcome to Ashby York, a prestigious and leading property real estate agency specialising in commercial, rural, and residential properties. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, we specialise in...

 

[Markdun]

And the runway is so bad (bitumen breaking up) that the larger aircraft won’t be able to use it soon to the detriment of the main paying tenant (Corporate Air).  So pretty significant expenditure is sort of needed now just to keep current tenants.  I’ve heard the current owner is also very much offside with the Council following a property he owned (and wanted to develop) with an historical heritage listing building on it mysteriously burnt down. The word I’ve received from Goulburn users (last week) is it hasn’t sold and they’re not surprised given how much he wants and its marketing.  It’sa pity because there is a nice group of aviators there and Teraya is s great instructor. The Goulburn council needs to go speak with Cowra and Temora councils I reckon.

[RFguy]

I have seen a document produced for the council (on request) by a development consultant -  helping then understand why cowra and temora had been development successes for those councils, and why GLB had been pretty much the worse example in the state. doco is about 4 years old ....

 

[Ian]

Is this document available upon request? It would be an interesting read.

[RFguy]

maybe, I cant remember , it was a while back. 

 

apart from difficulties users had with the airport operator, the lack of ownship and investment- IE at cowra and temora,  the rates from the new hangars / land sales offset maintenance costs, leading to a well maintained facilities, and less of a transient nature.

for cowra - There's also many businesses that run out of it- maintenance facilities, ag facilities and a big flying school.

 

There are a few other issues not easily sorted- 

The weather  is in general not all that  aviation friendly - hot and high in the summer, and eternal fogs in the winter, and substantial crosswinds on the main.

The place is a mess also. no investment by anybody. littel ground upkeep. This is all pretty much seen as the symptoms of the operator and the relationship to the users.

If the council had maintained ownership, they could have done a subdivision. I think it is unlikely  people would buy land in a subdivision from the current operator. 

 

However, despite the problems, I think it would be an option for canberra/ regional people. The cross grass runway could be improved and extended another 300m, otherwise(very)  light aircraft face regular  uncomfortable crosswinds.  A power line could be relocated

 

If I was flying out of there regularly, (I use my plane to go places and I need to be there when I say I will) an instrument rating  would be a must. 

Edited August 11 by RFguy

[Ian]

Buy again if you're based in Canberra your options are limited. Canberra to Cowra is about 2.5 hours, so a round trip commute is 5 hours on top of a working day doesn't really fit. This doesn't mention hitting roos in the morning and evening.

Compared to Goulburn which has a RTT of 2 hours along a much safer road allows a single day trip.

But the comments about the weather are valid.

[RFguy]

north canberra (Kaleen)  to cowra 1.9 hours. 180km door to door, 2 sets of traffic lights....

I have accomodation up there and a workshop, so that makes life easier. I always leave at 0600 each way.

roos are not too bad right now with plenty of non roadside food to eat. 

[Mittagong Aero Club]

Something else for sale 🙂
 

 

[KRviator]

5 hours ago, Mittagong Aero Club said:

Something else for sale 🙂