Mareeba Airport to be the home of new aviation museum
Far Northern history buffs and tourists are set to benefit from a proposed new aviation museum which is now one step closer to reality.
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Far Northern history buffs and tourists are set to benefit from a proposed new aviation museum which is now one step closer to reality.
Construction on the new FNQ Aviation Museum could begin at Mareeba as early as this year after its board members recently completed site lease negotiations with local council and have now released concept images of the potential end product.
The FNQ Aviation Museum board, which is separate to the already-existing FNQ Aviation Museum and Memorials near the Mareeba Airport, proposed to build a $3-5 million facility at the western end of the airport.
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Their aim is to conjoin and preserve a cluster of Far Northern WWII buildings, such as a heritage Ergon Energy building from Cairns, which was flagged as the potential lead building on site.
Construction of stage 1 of the museum was expected to create 50 jobs, according to the board. And when operational, it’s predicted it would create six full time jobs, 30 volunteer opportunities and stimulate up to $8 million into the Far North’s economy through tourism.
Board member and former aerial mapping pilot Richard Rudd said he was hopeful construction would begin in coming months and the museum would begin operating late next year.
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He said Mareeba had a long and decorated aviation history, but nothing to show for it.
“It was a very large air base for the US Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force during WWII,” he said.
“We want to showcase WWII aircraft, the history of the airfield as well as the history after the war.
“The pioneering of helicopter cattle mustering, aerial spraying, charter operations — so it’ll be the whole range of North Queensland’s aviation history.”
He said some of the museum’s drawcards would include a 1942 US Air Force training biplane and a WWII Australian Boomerang fighter plane among many others.
The museum was currently sourcing funding including multiple grants, but has called on Far Northerners to donate by visiting www.fnqam.com.au.
Originally published as Mareeba Airport to be the home of new aviation museum
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