“CRASH SHOULD BE A WAKE UP CALL TO COUNCIL”

Thanks NBN News for bringing this to the attention of the wider community. Since 1992 when the Commonwealth handed over aerodromes to local council ownership many like Richmond Valley have eyed airports like Casino and the Heritage Listed Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome as real estate “cash cows”. This is despite Richmond Valley Council entering into legal and binding Deed of Agreements with the Australian Government to NOT allow inappropriate development which is incompatible with the operation of the aerodromes handed to them in good faith. The Commonwealth is just at fault because these concerns have been continually raised, and it has turned it’s back on its clear responsibility under Commonwealth law. In your insight here the General Manager of Richmond Valley Council John Walker continues to claim that the land in question for the now failed Evans Head Nursing Home and Retirement Village could become residential development, which is in clear breach of Sections 2(h) and 2(p) of the Deed of Agreement. There is plenty of land on the aerodrome to which it has been entrusted to develop such a facility which is well away and out of danger which is sited an incredibly perilous 90 metres from the active main runway, and within the Noise Footprint. It is a shame that an unfortunate accident at Casino has happened to highlight this, but it certainly vindicates the concerns of a majority of the public and the Australian Aviation community have been voicing and falling on deaf ears with the “responsible authorities” for over 20 years. Well done…and this dogfight is not over yet.
Keep up the good work and honest reporting!
Halden Boyd – Licenced Pilot – Evans Head