Media Release - Aerodrome Activity Policy

Published on 12 March 2026

Council Adopts Aerodrome Activities Policy

Yarriambiack Shire Council has adopted a new Aerodrome Activities Policy at its Ordinary Meeting of Council on 25 February 2026, providing clear guidance on the activities that can and cannot occur at Council-owned aerodromes.

Council recognises the critical importance of aerodromes to the region. Yarriambiack Shire hosts two Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) certified aerodromes, located on Council-owned land in Hopetoun and Warracknabeal.

Both aerodromes are certified to accommodate emergency services aircraft and play a vital role in ensuring the community can respond effectively to emergencies and provide urgent medical assistance when required.

Mayor McLean said “Council continues to support aviation-related activities that align with the primary purpose of the aerodromes”.

“We have seen the expansion of a flight school being enabled at our aerodrome in Warracknabeal through the support of the Warracknabeal Aero Club,” Mayor McLean said.

“In addition, Council has endorsed, following community consultation, the construction of a private aeroplane hangar at the Hopetoun Aerodrome.”

Mayor McLean also highlighted Council’s commitment to improving aerodrome infrastructure where possible.

“As a Council, we support exploring funding options to expand the fuel options at the Warracknabeal Aerodrome, and we are currently awaiting funding opportunities to do so.”

The newly adopted policy confirms Council’s position on appropriate aerodrome use.

“Our policy identifies that Council is committed to supporting aerodrome and aircraft-specific activities, such as flight schools,” Mayor McLean said.

“However, we do not support activities that require a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to be issued, which effectively prevents aircraft—particularly emergency services—from accessing the aerodrome. We also do not support activities that could compromise the aerodrome runway.”

Council emphasised that the runway and airside areas are critical assets and essential to maintaining CASA certification.

If the runway or airstrip is compromised in any way—through oil, tyre marks or foreign object debris—it can impact Council’s ability to operate the aerodromes and may ultimately lead to their closure.

“As a Council, we must consider the primary purpose of our aerodromes and whether events outside that purpose place additional burdens on Council resources and increase liability risks,” Mayor McLean said.

“With the significant financial pressures Council is facing, the increasing demand to respond to mining and renewable energy land use changes, and ongoing cost shifting from governments, we are unable to allocate the substantial staff and financial resources required to consider events outside the primary purpose of the aerodromes.”

“Importantly, we do not wish to compromise community safety by unnecessarily closing our aerodromes.”

The Aerodrome Activities Policy provides clarity for users and the broader community while ensuring the ongoing safety, certification and availability of Yarriambiack Shire’s aerodromes—particularly for emergency services.

END OF RELEASE

Mayor Andrew McLean