Council at the October Council meeting, finalised the membership for the Corowa Aerodrome Advisory Committee after advertising for members. This committee was established following the adoption of the Corowa Aerodrome Service Review.
This will ensure Council receives strategic and operational guidance and stakeholder input, via the Committee minutes, including any recommendations being presented to Council meetings. Please note that prior to any significant decision points, Council may still conduct broader community and any other stakeholder engagement on any proposed changes if it is deemed necessary. This will include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Air Services Australia.
At the Council meeting, the four community and industry nominees approved are -
- Corowa Aerodrome User Group: Bernie O'Donnell and Geoff Lewis;
- Corowa Business Chamber: Nathan Sandral; and
- Aviation Industry Specialist: Brett Stevens (Global Airspace Solutions).
The four members bring a diverse mix of local user experience, business perspective and technical aviation expertise. Cr Rowena Black was appointed as the Chair, with Cr Derek Schoen appointed Deputy Chair.
Council also recognises and will value the input of the many interests in the site, including but not limited to local businesses, sporting groups and other stakeholders operating on or near the site. The committee will also include Federation Council's Director of Engineering Services and Manager of Operations with the Mayor and General Manager serving as ex-officio members.
Federation Council Mayor Cr Cheryl Cook said establishing the committee marks a major milestone in guiding the strategic, operational and financial future of the Corowa Aerodrome.
"Council anticipates that this committee will play a vital role in evaluating future opportunities for the aerodrome including seeking further operational efficiencies and increased revenue to ensure long term financial sustainability. This will include future management proposals, and will allow Council to consider ownership and leasing options, and other potential future investment. If successful, this will further activate a site that many consider to be under-utilised and a site requiring significant expenditure. If done well, this would provide some much needed jobs and other economic activity to Corowa and more broadly potentially, depending on the level of investment," she said.
