Victorian Minister for Finance, Danny Pearson, has approved the sale of the discontinued government road to the north of the existing Mount Beauty Airport runway to the Alpine Shire Council.
Council had originally endorsed the discontinuance of the road back in 2021, in order for the airport's runway to be extended in the future.
The push for a runway extension has involved multiple steps so far and this recent land acquisition will enable council to finalise this process.
Alpine Shire director of assets, Alan Rees, told councillors at their June meeting all options have been explored and this was the best possible outcome for residents.
Following the successful completion of Council's Mount Beauty Airfield Upgrade Project, the operational management responsibilities have now returned to the Mount Beauty Airport Management Association (MBAMA).
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This significant upgrade project was first conceived prior to 2005 and involved 16 reports to council meetings in the interim, including two for the June council meeting, with the development of a master plan which included extending the runway commencing in 2010.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Councillor Sarah Nicholas passed on her congratulations to those involved in putting together the proposal for an aerodrome and an airpark 20 years ago.
"It was really ambitious to put together [this] proposal in 2005," she said.
"I think it's fantastic we're well and truly on the way: well done to everybody who has contributed to it.
"I look forward to it rolling out even further."
The purpose of the runway extension was to enable the aerodrome to better serve the aviation needs of the Mount Beauty community, by providing the Air Ambulance Victoria aircraft improved access to the airport and other benefits; including facilitating housing and a range of additional opportunities for new commercial facilities.
In retrospect, council voted to mark the lessons learned from this project in relation to managing scope changes and to implement improvements to council's procurement procedure for managing contract variations.
Councillor Dave Byrne said he believed the improvements to the procurement policy were a step forward for council, in light of the lessons learned from the project overall.
Mr Rees confirmed the changes made to the procurement policy will be adopted by officers as they undertake procurement going forward, to guide them in terms of the actions and steps needed to be taken for future projects.
A representative from the Mount Beauty Airport Management Association (MBAMA) said the group is currently focused on new plans to replace fencing in Embankment Drive, with thanks to funding from the Local Community Bank program.
"We're very grateful for this funding," the spokesperson said.
"This project will increase the resistance against kangaroos and thus increase airport safety."
