Concern over Jandakot proposal

The proposed relocation of Jandakot Airport is continuing to ruffle the feathers of a number of airport users who feel the move is unnecessary and destabilising for business.

Amid claims that the proposal to relocate the airport to the Shire of Murray by airport leaseholder Ascot Capital is simply a property development move, user concern has even raised the prospect of a new aerodrome in the same shire.

Just a year after WA Business News revealed it had acquired the Jandakot lease, Ascot Capital wants to build a new international standard, general aviation airport at Keysbrook.

Jandakot Chamber of Commerce president Michael Braybrook said Jandakot was the only purpose built general aviation airport built in Australia, and was an integral piece of infrastructure that could not be relocated.

“There are no safety issues, no capacity issues at Jandakot. Ascot are just property developers trying to make a quick buck,” he said.

Chamber secretary Gary Gaunt said since news of the relocation of the airport broke in June, some operators had suffered financial distress due to the air of uncertainty.

“As yet there is no actual proposal on the table, so no-one can pre-empt it,” Mr Gaunt said.

Royal Flying Doctor Service aviation and communications manager Steve Lansell said the company was open minded and was waiting on a firm proposal from Ascot before making any decisions.

“There’s not a lot of solid facts coming out, so in the meantime we’re doing a sum analysis of our options,” Mr Lansell told WA Business News.

“A particular concern to us is the patient transfer times. Keysbrook is a long way from the Perth CBD and the new hospital at Murdoch.”

Mr Lansell said the service would prefer to stay put, but would not rule out a move to Perth Airport as a third option.

Faced with the real prospect of closure if the relocation were to take place, one airport tenant is quietly making plans to ensure its own future.

Western Australia’s biggest generator of flight instructors, the Royal Aero Club, is planning to expand its own 202 hectare special use airport at Murrayfield in the Shire of Murray.

The club submitted a plan to the shire this week seeking approval for the stage one development of an initial 50 hangars and plans additional upgrades and building additions as part of subsequent development stages.

Royal Aero Club chief executive David Curry said the airport would be the jewel in the crown of the 77-year old club.

“We would allow others to use Murrayfield to assist in the overflow, we could certainly handle it,” Mr Curry said.

All the talk of moving and the ensuing uncertainty had already impinged on the club’s ability to secure foreign clients at a time when there was a worldwide shortage of pilots, he said.

“Australia has the highest standards of training in the world, but if they think Jandakot is under threat they will go elsewhere,” Mr Curry said.

But flight training school Minnovation is confident the relocation will not happen at all.

Managing director Min Stokes said the relocation was not in the best interests of the general aviation industry, and to allow such a thing would set a precedent by allowing property developers to destroy public infrastructure for their own ends.

“They cannot legally do what they’re doing without repealing an act of parliament, it’s not going to happen,” Ms Stokes said.

“All we want is the quiet enjoyment of our tenancies and to be allowed to conduct business as aviation professionals.”