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2010
9 April 2010
Aerodrome sale leaves volunteers 'short changed'
Monday is the last day of the tender period for the sale of Rylstone Aerodrome.
The aerodrome is fully operational and was described by one resident “as busy as Bankstown Airport” during the bushfires which flamed through the region last November.
Two grass air strips, a clubhouse with kitchen and control tower along with a 15 by 12 metre hangar are the major features of the property.
Also included are a storage shed and workshop, fuel shed, bowser, an underground tank and a 22,000 litre rainwater tank.
In what has been described as “a once in a lifestyle opportunity”, the aerodrome’s new owner will be able to develop the land that local community members helped to build.
At least two local residents would like to see a significant community contribution from the sale of the aerodrome, in recognition of volunteers’ efforts.
In a letter to the editor in the Mudgee Guardian on Friday, April 2, and in discussion at the aerodrome, Rylstone residents Les Willis and June Smith said they would like some of the money from the sale to be directed towards local projects.
“Many a bush dance, chocolate wheel and art union were run to raise funds,” they said.
“Many thousand dollars worth of materials were donated by local businesses and many man-hours went into the building of these facilities.”
The pair said they were by no means opposing the sale of the aerodrome.
“If there is no further interest, then let it be sold and return the funds for the value of the improvements,” they said.
“We are very much against private enterprise profiting from the volunteers ‘blood, sweat, and tears.
“Many voluntary man hours went into the building and establishment of this community facility.”
A Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) spokesperson, Natalie Christie, said the sale and use of the aerodrome will be in accordance with Council guidelines.
“The future use and development or redevelopment of the land by a successful purchaser would be in accordance with the Mid-Western Regional Council Local Environmental Plan 1996,” she said.
Ms Christie also said the funds from the sale would be going back to NSW as a whole.
“The proceeds of the sale will be allocated to essential public programs on a state-wide basis,” she said.
Anyone interested in purchasing the aerodrome should contact Andrew Blackman from O’Brien Bartlett First National1 .
30 December 2010
Rylstone airfield sold but operating
Rylstone Aerodrome will continue to be used as an airfield even though it was transferred to private ownership about a month ago.
New owner Robert Loneragan saw an opportunity in the aerodrome to further his long-term love of aviation and at the same time return to the district he loves.
“I was born in Gulgong and was involved in the family business and just over twenty years ago moved to Sydney when the family decided time to let everybody go their own way,” Robert Loneragan said.
“At that time I moved to Sydney with my family with my children’s education a focal point.
“However, I have never lost my love for the district and always intended to return one day.
“My children still call this area home and my daughter is planning to be married at Mudgee.”
Mr Loneragan first became interested in the Rylstone Aerodrome about seven years ago and made enquiries with the former Rylstone Shire Council about it’s future right back then.
“In about 2003 I was returning Driving back to Sydney via Rylstone and drove onto the airstrip here, which led me to contacting Kerry Morrissey who was at that time Acting General Manager of the Council.
“I thought this is a beaut little airfield, nothing was happening there and it looked unloved and from that I made my initial enquiry.
“Kerry Morrissey, who I had gone to school with, said not a lot was happening and that Council would like to offload it as it was a liability and would like to get rid of it.
“The Shire then called for expressions of interest from the public, but the State Government’s amalgamation of councils put everything on hold.
“Things then took about two years to settle down and then after Warwick Bennett was appointed General Manager of the Mid Western Regional Council I met with him.
“We went through the expressions of interest and they ultimately decided to assign the lease to me.
“We’ve carried on running it on a very low key basis since then but we couldn’t do anything with it.
“I turn Mid Western Regional Council was successful in obtaining Lands Department approval for the council to make the aerodrome freehold title.
“Tenders were called for the sale of the aerodrome and I lodged a tender, which was successful.
“We exchanged contracts in April and settle just a few weeks ago.”
Mr Loneragan said that now he can set about the future of the aerodrome and wants to make Rylstone Aerodrome a part of his life.
“I am not planning big city style development,” he said.
“However, there is huge pressure on airfields like Bankstown and Hoxton Park, for example, because of the real estate value of those aerodromes putting them out of reach for the aviation enthusiast who wants to own his own plane.
“Little aeroplanes have to go somewhere as they are all being squeezed out of Sydney.
“Rylstone Aerodrome could suit some of those people, it won’t suit all of them but it is a quite beautiful area and there is room for people who are respectful of the area to appreciate and enjoy the facility and country side.
“I plan to erect some hangers so people can park their aircraft here and this is a very positive thing.
“People won’t just come here for they flying, they will also come here and add to the local tourism industry.”
Mr Loneragan said that the aerodrome will still be available for aircraft during bushfire emergencies whether that be in National Parks areas or is in the local community.
“When there are emergencies resources like this are needed,” Mr Loneragan said.
“I want this facility to available and open for this Rylstone, Kandos, Ilford, Mudgee region.
“A lot of people want to shut airports down and it is only when you need one in an emergency that a lot of people see the value in them.
“Historically, Rylstone Aerodrome has been here for a long time and as long as I can I aim to ensure that it remains.
“This is security for the future of the airport.”
Mr Loneragan said that Bill Moyes, who has conducted pilot training her for the past 15 years will continue to operate from the aerodrome and said that he sees it as a future sky diving competition venue2 .