NEWS DESK
Shire backing for airfield plan Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has adopted the Tyabb Airfield Precinct Plan which came about as part of the need to address what officers say was the “ongoing uncertainty in the community regarding future plans for the airfield and concerns relating to potential loss of amenity, particularly from increasing aircraft noise”. The precinct plan was identified in the Tyabb Township Plan 2012. It aimed to address concerns of the operators of the airfield regarding future use and development that may compromise its safe operation. Consultants Arcadis and Trent Kneebush were selected on the basis of their “significant experience in aviation and land use planning”, according to a precede in the shire’s strategic planning report. In developing the draft plan, community meetings were held in Tyabb and discussions held with key groups. Invitations to provide comments were sent to more than 2000 landowners, residents and businesses. Strategic projects manager Allan Cowley said the draft plan was advertised, with a submission period mid-August to the end of September, and included two community briefing sessions with more than 50 attendees. Over 140 submissions were received. The consultants recommend establishing a Community Reference Group (CRG) to advise council and provide a forum to ease recommendations of the TAPP, to establish a complaint
response-and-review process, and to prepare an airfield noise management plan. While there is “concern … that a consultative approach has been tried and failed before … more is at stake for all parties and this may encourage participation”, officers said. The consultants supported the widening of the main sealed runway to 18 metres to improve pilot safety in adverse weather. An aircraft noise management plan is recommended to manage noise over residential areas. Many submissions were for and against the airfield. Some opposed any limitations on its operations, while others said the Tyabb Airfield Precinct Plan (the plan) did not adequately restrict the airfield’s operations. The first group praised the airfield’s economic and social contribution in terms of jobs, the ability to fly, training, tourism, charitable contributions, such as the biennial Air Show, and support for emergency services. The group opposed restrictions on airfield use and development, such as the proposal to establish buffer areas to the west of the main runway, or on land in the Special Use Zone. Supporters of the airfield argue against restrictions on the use of land bought by Peninsula Aero Club members adjacent to the airfield. The consultants said a substantial group, including a petition with 157 signatures, accepted the airfield at its current level and development, but was opposed to any further expansion due, primarily, to concerns about increasing noise and other emissions. Continued Page 11
Record dive: Scuba divers form a human chain to set a new record at Rye last week. Pictures: Supplied
Diving deep for the record SCUBA divers have taken the plunge near Rye pier to set a record for the longest chain of divers in one session. Despite overcast conditions and a stiff southerly wind on Saturday 2 December, the 360 divers formed an underwater human chain for 15 minutes to win a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. They were also keen to promote scuba diving among marine life and wrecks at the southern end of Port Phillip. “It was a great day,” dive boat operator Luke
English said. “We only had to be underwater for one minute, but we stayed down longer to get photographs to prove our attempt.” He said organisers were comfortable in sneaking past the previous record of 308 divers and happy to allow other venues a realistic chance of breaking the Rye record in future attempts. “Now we hear of record attempts being planned in Sydney and Adelaide and even Japan – it’s going viral.” Divers toasted their success over drinks at the Rye hotel afterwards.
Western Port News 12 December 2017
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