Cobden Aerodrome Master Plan

Council is seeking community feedback on the draft Cobden Aerodrome Master Plan which has been developed to guide the future development of the Aerodrome over the next 20 years.

The Cobden Aerodrome is a Corangamite Shire owned asset managed by a Community Asset Committee in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, who are assigned by the Council to manage the asset on Council’s behalf.

Submissions closed on 06 October 2021, 05:00 PM

Background
The Cobden Aerodrome is used by commercial rotary and fixed wing aircraft including; aeromedical, emergency rescue, bushfire fighting and aerial agriculture. Along with charter operators such as Air Ambulance Victoria, Rohan Flying Services, Border Air, Sharp Aviation and various flight training operators from Melbourne and regional areas.  

It is the only council owned aerodrome within the Shire and provides an avenue for multi-use aviation services. The aerodrome supports the greater community by providing connectivity, access to emergency rescue and bush firefighting services and supporting economic growth in a diverse and vibrant Shire.

Project objectives
Council is implementing opportunities to protect the Cobden Aerodrome asset through appropriate planning controls including potential future registration with CASA.

It is important to note the masterplan will provide the concepts for the potential future operations of the Aerodrome and required infrastructure development or upgrades to support that use. 

Project scope
The following key activities were conducted during the study:

• Obstacle Limitation Surfaces study
• Review of planning and regulatory context
• Stakeholder consultation
• Benchmarking study
• SWOT analysis
• Defining a strategic vision
• Multiple workshops with Council officers and Community Asset Committee
• Preparation of draft master plan including drawings and phasing 

Aerodrome vision
The strategic vision has been developed through industry consultation and discussion with the Cobden Aerodrome Community Asset Committee. 

The strategic vision for Cobden Aerodrome has been defined as:

• Protect the aerodrome for future use.
• Cobden Aerodrome should support the community by:
  • Offering access to emergency services
  • Support local businesses such as agriculture and tourism. 

What it would mean at the Aerodrome
1. To protect the aerodrome, the following is required:

• Planning scheme controls (masterplan strategic directions and local policy)
• Certify as a Code 1 non-instrument day-only aerodrome   
• Widen the runway from 15m to 18m
• Resurface the runway turning pads
• Provide a 30m runway extension on the northern end
• Implement a 60m wide runway strip
• Provide a compliant Wind Direction Indicator

This would support existing uses and provide for the Air Tractor AT-802 operated for aerial agriculture purposes and firefighting by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the King Air B-200 operated by Air Ambulance Victoria and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The maximum size is 7.25 tonne.

2. To support the local agricultural aerial (and other commercial) operations the following developments are proposed:

• Development on the northern side of the aerodrome:
• Taxiway infrastructure
• Commercial Hangar Facilities with appropriate utilities.
• Appropriate Landside/Airside interface at Hallyburtons Road.
• Jet A-1 Fuel Facilities required by larger commercial aircraft.

3. To support tourism operations the following developments are proposed:  

• A fit for purpose terminal building with adequate facilities to support tourism flights, emergency response command centre and colocation with Aero Club rooms
• A bigger apron to park aircraft 
• Additional parking area for visiting aircraft / Aero Club aircraft.
• Landside developments supportive of tourism, parking facilities for up to 10 cars, as well as a dedicated parking facility for a mini or tour bus.
• Jet A-1 Fuel Facilities, required by larger commercial aircraft.