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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 .