By Jessica Micallef
Flights at the Kyneton Airfield are set to almost double from 5110 to 10,000 a year under plans outlined in a draft Kyneton Airfield Masterplan.
Up to 12 privately-owned hangars, three aviation business hangars, an office building and a tourism hub could also be built on part of the airfield currently zoned for farming.
The plans have come under fire from the Macedon Ranges Residents Association.
Association secretary Christine Pruneau urged the council to sort out exising issues at the airfield before considering any new development.
“There are complaints from people about low-flying aircrafts … the noise, the safety aspects.
“There are all these types of things and nobody has sat down and had a real look at what we can build here.
“There’s more to everything than just an economic aspect.
“I think the message to council is they need to start thinking about the residents’ experience.”
“Four or five years ago … a report was put to council and it was purely an economics report,” she said.
“The issues on whether it is an appropriate location, whether it should be expanded, that all got shoved and it was just seen as an economic opportunity.”
The airfield is owned by the Macedon Ranges council and is operated by the Kyneton Aero Club.
It covers about 197,000 square metres and is used for recreational flying, flight training and by the CFA.
Most of the airfield is zoned for public use, however a lot at 8 Rawson Place is zoned farming. The draft plan proposes the lot be amended to public use to accommodate new hangers, offices and a tourism hub.
The masterplan has been open for public consultation and is expected to be presented at its October meeting.
