Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance (MAM) proprietors Rex & Lynne Koerbin have operated their aircraft maintenance business at Merimbula Airport for 30 years and built their current hangar 15 years ago with the full support of Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) – Council stipulated where the hangar was built with all indications at the time that this was a permanent location with a minimum 20 year industry standard lease to follow. Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance has been described by past Mayor, now Federal Minister for Regional Development MP Kristy McBain as ‘the cornerstone of the new GA precinct’ at the airport.

Unfortunately, Bega Valley Shire Council have just released their draft Merimbula Airport Master Plan (MAMP) 2043, showing the MAM hangar repurposed as either a car rental business or totally removed for car parking. Since advising the proprietors last year that their tenure will not be renewed when their lease expires 30/06/2024, Council have not provided any written assurance that the business will be able to continue on the airport past 30th June. Council is refusing to consider options for Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance to remain at its current lease site and despite forcing a relocation of the maintenance business, Council have stated that they will not pay for their acquisition of the hangar. There are no alternative lease sites or hangars available on the airport to relocate to, and there is no timeline available for construction to commence in the assigned GA precinct. BVSC are on course to force Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance out of business. The situation is dire, and time is short, so let your voice be heard.

Please sign this petition below to ensure Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance remains onsite at Merimbula Airport and can continue operating in support of the General Aviation community across SE NSW.

Petition:

We, the undersigned, call on the Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC), it’s staff and Councillors, to:

1.     Reject the draft Merimbula Airport Master Plan (MAMP) 2043.

2.     Ensure that provisions for General Aviation and the continuity of existing aviation businesses at Merimbula airport are clearly and unambiguously articulated in any re-draft of the MAMP 2043, with recognition that industry standard 25 year leases on sites are an essential inclusion.

3.     Undertake a comprehensive assessment of the option of Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance remaining in-situ at its current site.

  4.     Provide a public commitment that should Council require Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance to relocate, adequate compensation for the building, costs involved with the relocation and associated disruption to business continuity will be assured.