Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance could close, according to council’s draft airport masterplan

A family owned aircraft maintenance business could be forced to close its doors after 30 years with some major changes touted for Merimbula Airport.

Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance has run in the south coast town for 30 years.

A three-decade-long running NSW south coast aircraft maintenance business could soon be forced to close its doors, after an airport masterplan revealed proposals to convert its hangar to carparking or car rentals.

Family owned Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance has run at the Merimbula Airport for 30 years – 15 years in its current hangar – and offer jobs from standard 100-hourly inspections to a complete repaint or aircraft modifications.

However, the recently released Merimbula Airport draft masterplan by Bega Valley Council showcases proposed plans to convert the hangar which the business runs out of into a car rental business, or simply convert it to carparks.

The news has shocked Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance co-owner Lynne Koerbin, who created an online petition to save their company.

She believes if the plan goes ahead, the business will be forced to close its doors after 30 years, claiming there was nowhere else on the airport where they would be allowed to operate their business.

The petition has nearly reached its goal of 2500 signatures in less than a week.

“Council stipulated when 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,” Mrs Koerbin said.

The family owned business has nearly reached their goal of 2500 signatures in less than a week.

“Unfortunately, Bega Valley Council have just released their draft Merimbula Airport Master Plan, showing the hangar would be repurposed.

“Council have not provided any written assurance that the business will be able to continue on the airport past June 30.”

Mrs Koerbin has asked Bega Valley Council to reject the draft plan, agree that their business can remain at the airport and 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”.

However, a Bega Valley Council spokeswoman said council was always going to support Merimbula Aircraft Maintenance.

“Council has not or never had any intention to not cater for air maintenance services at Merimbula Airport,” she said.

The move comes as part of the 2043 Merimbula Airport masterplan.

“Council is also very conscious of ensuring that it manages the airport in a responsible way that doesn’t put any additional financial impost on ratepayers that benefits any particular business interest.”

The possibility of its closure has upset the Merimbula community, who say the business was an asset to their coastal town.

“It is a ridiculous situation that is happening, moving out the only aircraft maintenance from Merimbula airport. What are the council thinking?” Merimbula resident Ed Brooke said.

Resident Amanda Dalziel agreed, noting the airport would need maintenance, particularly if they were planning large upgrades.

“Seems ill-advised to increase the size of the runway while making it difficult to continue aircraft maintenance on site,” she said.

The Bega Valley Council spokeswoman said a report would be considered at the Bega Valley Council meeting on March 20 to confirm short term and longer term tenancy arrangements at the airport.

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