Caloundra aerodrome businesses in limbo
Sun 06 June 2010
Jennifer Purse, Bachelor of Communication
State and Local government battles over development plans for Caloundra South have left businesses at the Caloundra Aerodrome caught in the crossfire.
The South-East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan 2009-2031 targeted several areas of the Sunshine Coast where land could be developed to accommodate increased population.
The plan identified Caloundra South as one of several Sunshine Coast locations with a combined capacity for 61,000 additional dwellings to meet anticipated residential growth.
Caloundra Aerodrome forms part of the northern boundary of the proposed 2290 hectare Caloundra South development area. 
Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) Division One councillor Anna Grosskreutz said the aerodrome sits at a strategic point for future planning for Caloundra.
“It’s an area earmarked for future infrastructure related to the rail corridor Beerwah to Maroochydore,” Cr Grosskreutz said.
Maps show the Council’s proposed rail route diverging from the Queensland Government’s original Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) route alignment.
The divergence takes the rail route through the existing aerodrome site, with a possible transit centre to be located about a kilometre south-west of the southern runway.
Cr Grosskreutz said the rail link is part of the State government infrastructure plan, but the route has to coincide with people to make use of the trains.
A recent Council bulletin highlighted areas of planning dissension between the State government and the Council.
The SEQ Regional Plan refers to “redeveloping the Caloundra Aerodrome site”, but the Council bulletin said the Department of Infrastructure and Planning has yet to make a decision on the future of the aerodrome.
Elsewhere, the bulletin contained details of State government changes to the SCC proposed Caloundra South Structure Plan, including adherence to the original CAMCOS alignment. However, the Council considers continued use of the Caloundra Aerodrome site as an aerodrome to be contrary to the SEQ Regional Plan.
Sunshine Coast Skydivers owner Tibor Glesk said the discord between the State and Local governments was upsetting and frustrating.
Mr Glesk has operated his business at Caloundra Aerodrome for 16 years, and said the former Caloundra City Council passed a resolution in 2004 that current leases would not be extended beyond 2014.
Mr Glesk said the Council had indicated the future of the aerodrome was not up to Council, but was up to the State government.
However, Mr Glesk claimed that under the terms of a deed drawn up in 1992 between the Commonwealth and the City of Caloundra, the Council owns and manages the aerodrome and cannot close it without the consent of the Federal Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
Mr Glesk said there are a number of unique businesses operating at the aerodrome, and the loss of those aviation businesses would be irretrievable. 
“The airport has been here for many years,” Mr Glesk said.
“There are 225 employees and 20 businesses here.
“Some are unique to the whole country.”
Cr Grosskreutz said amalgamation of the three Sunshine Coast councils had created the opportunity to relocate some businesses to Sunshine Coast Airport.
However, she indicated the airport may be expanded in future to take international traffic, and Council did not want to compromise that ability.
Mr Glesk said some of the businesses cannot be relocated because of the need to maintain separation between general aviation and regular public transport aviation, mainly due to safety issues.
Mr Glesk added that Sunshine Coast Airport is already so congested that some flying schools based there conduct lessons at Caloundra.
Mr Glesk said the 2014 lease expiry left limited opportunities for alternatives, and as CAMCOS appears to be on hold it should be possible to have leases extended.
“I don’t have a future now,” Mr Glesk said.
“The bank won’t lend me money to grow.
“If leases could be extended, businesses could grow and the number of employees increase.
“People can’t get a mortgage because of the uncertain future.”
Mr Glesk also expressed concern about the future of the businesses in Bulcock Street if the aerodrome site becomes the Caloundra town centre.
“People’s lives and businesses are on hold,” Mr Glesk said.
Mr Glesk said the aerodrome should be able to continue its existence in conjunction with preserved areas such as wetlands and the wildlife corridor.
However, Mr Glesk acknowledged that continued operation would rely on the Caloundra South Structure Plan reverting to the original CAMCOS alignment, rather than Council’s proposed alternative which dissects the aerodrome.
Cr Grosskreutz said the Caloundra South development would have about 50,000 people living to the south of the aerodrome.
“Those residents won’t thank us for not resolving this,” Cr Grosskreutz said.
“The plan has been on the table for about a decade.
“It came to fruition at the end of Caloundra City Council.”
ABC News reported in 2005 that Caloundra City Council would not extend leases at the Caloundra aerodrome beyond 2014.
However, the then mayor Councillor Don Aldous left open the possibility that a future council might reverse the decision.
“We need an answer,” Mr Glesk said.
“We need to be able to live and grow.”
Image(s) designed by Jennifer Purse