Rockhampton Regional Council Hears The Call to Keep Emu Park Airfield Operating

After a clear indication from the community that the Emu Park Airfield is a valuable asset, the Rockhampton Regional Council has recently taken steps in making sure it receives the necessary maintenance to continue operating.

Late last year Council, began a community engagement process to gauge community opinion on the current and long term future use of the airfield - as reported on the CQ Plane Spotting Blog HERE.

The response was overwhelmingly in favour of maintaining the airfield as a valuable asset for the Emu Park community, with 93% indicating that they wished for it to remain as it is or to be upgraded.  And from the interviews conducted as part of this process, the community relayed a wide variety of uses for the airfield including local and visiting aviators, flying training, RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service and SES.

A safety report commissioned by Council in December last year revealed that there were four non-compliance issues that should be addressed to ensure the safety of users of this airfield.  These included marking in the runway, defining the runway by mowing alongside it, the relocation of the current wind indicator and the lopping of some trees.

Council has allocated $37,000 to these works and has resolved to retain trusteeship of the airfield.

Any further strategic decisions on the future use and improvements of the airfield will be deferred for the new Livingstone Shire Council to consider from next year following de-amalgamation.

Photos taken by ‘IAD’  ©