Doncaster Aeromodellers’ Club could be forced out of home

A model aircraft club will be forced to fold if it has to move from its home of 50 years to make way for North East Link. The club says elderly members won’t be able to travel to a proposed new base because it’s too far away.

Club members fear the Doncaster Aeromodellers' Club would fold if relocated from Bulleen Park.

The Doncaster Aeromodellers’ Club fears at least 87 per cent of its membership could be lost to the sport if the club is forced to leave Bulleen Park.

The club faces having to leave its home of 50 years due to the North East Link project, with NELP proposing they merge with the Greensborough Model Aircraft Club.

But in a submission to the project’s environmental effects statement the club says Greensborough’s Yarrambat field is too far out for most of their members.

The club says most of its participants live within 12km of Bulleen Park and the extra travel to Yarrambat, which is 23km from their current base, would jeopardise their future in the sport. Club president Juris Briedis said the activity was vital for a diverse membership to combat social isolation.

Their youngest member is seven, while the oldest is 92.

They have a range of ethnic backgrounds, and some have mental and physical disabilities.

“Most, but not all, members fly model aircraft. There are a number participate as social members,” he said.

“Our central location makes it particularly accessible to older members and those with significant physical and mental disabilities. Relocation to a site in excess of 5km from Bulleen Park would seriously threaten the club’s existence.”

Doncaster East's Richard Fleming and his son Andrew enjoy flying planes on the weekend.

The club’s youngest member Andrew Fleming recently had his first flight with a ducted fan De Haviland Vampire Jet.

“Every Sunday when the weather is good, we come down to the club and have a ton of fun,” he said.

“I felt so happy when the plane took off and landed. I would be broken if (the club) had to go.”

MORE: LANDMARK BULLEEN TREE FACES AXE

ESTELLE ST HOMEOWNERS VOW TO FIGHT FOR PARK

BUSINESSES FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE

North East Link project chief executive Duncan Elliott said: “We’re continuing to work closely with local sports clubs, councils and other landowners to minimise the impact of works while we build the vital link in Melbourne’s road network.”