Community consultation launches to help inform decision on future of Emu Park Airstrip
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Council is asking the community what they would like to see happen with the Emu Park Airstrip.
The land, owned by the State Government, has been managed by Council as a trustee since its gazettal to Council on 8 October 1966.
The airstrip comprises 17.41 hectares and has a historical significance as part of a Reserve for Defence Purposes, with the northern section now privately owned.
A recent assessment of the airstrip concludes that significant improvements are necessary to ensure compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Unregulated airstrips always present risks, as the responsibility for landing and take-off is solely on pilots.
Council wants to hear from the community about whether the investment required to keep the airstrip compliant is worthwhile, or if other options for the land should be considered.
Mayor Andy Ireland said Council recognises the high ongoing operational risk and substantial investment required for improvements and maintenance of the site.
"We value our community's insights and opinions, and we want to ensure that any decision made about Emu Park Airstrip reflects the interests and aspirations of our residents,” Mayor Ireland said.
“This engagement plan allows us to understand the broader context and make informed choices that align with the best interests of Emu Park residents and the wider Livingstone community."
The options currently under consideration are as follows:
A - Council rescinds trusteeship, returning the land to the State Government for determination of future use/disposal.
B - Council applies to the State Government to purchase the land. We don’t yet have a valuation for the site but suspect that the figure could be upward of $2 million.
C - Council continues as trustee, and the land remains an airfield with immediate upgrades estimated to cost $280,000 and ongoing maintenance at a minimum annual cost of $25,000. Council acknowledges that this option carries a high ongoing operational risk (see Risk Assessment Report for more detail).
D - Council requests consideration from the State Government to change the 'community purpose' use of the reserve (see list of community purpose definitions via online survey).
The airstrip, currently dedicated as a ‘Reserve for Landing Ground for Aircraft’, holds an operational reserve status rather than being designated as a community purpose reserve.
Community purposes for dedicating trust land can include buffer zones, cultural purposes, gardens, parks, open space, recreation, sport or scenic purposes.
“Residents are encouraged to review all available information and actively participate in the feedback process,” Mayor Ireland added.
Pop-up in-person community engagement will also take place in Emu Park throughout August, with dates earmarked for 2, 3 August from 10am to 1pm located nearby Drake’s IGA supermarket.
Council officers will also be available in Emu Park on 8, 9 August and the Emu Park Markets on Sunday 20 August, as well as IGA Yeppoon in James Street on 14,15 August.
Council welcomes all contributions and encourages everyone to have their say before the deadline for feedback on 30 August 2023.
To participate in the community consultation and learn more about the available options, please visit https://getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au/emu-park-airstrip-lot-48-emu-park-road-survey
Paper copies of the survey and all relevant information will be made available at all Council Libraries and Customer Support Centres.
The survey results will be presented to Council at a briefing session in September.