Have Your Say - Draft Buloke Shire Aeodrome Strategy
Shaping the future of Buloke's aerodrome network
Introductory Summary
Buloke Shire Council is developing an Aerodrome Strategy to guide the future role, potential investment and management of its aerodrome network at Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and Wycheproof. Community members, local businesses, industry and aerodrome users are encouraged to have their say as part of this engagement process.
Project Overview
Buloke Shire Council owns and manages a network of five aerodromes across the Shire, located at Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and Wycheproof. These facilities support emergency services, general aviation, agricultural operations and community access and represent a significant ongoing investment for Council to maintain infrastructure and compliance (where required).
Council has engaged Stafford Strategy to develop an Aerodrome Strategy that assesses the current and future role of each aerodrome and guides future investment, management and priority actions across the network.
The strategy considers each aerodrome's contribution to community connectivity, economic activity and emergency service provision alongside its aviation capability, regulatory compliance, condition and ongoing cost to maintain. Community and stakeholder input is a key part of this process and will help inform the assessment of each aerodrome's future role, opportunities and priorities.
Key Community Engagement Dates
- Sea Lake Community Engagement Session, Monday 17 August, 5.00pm to 6.30pm, Community Complex, 40 Complex Drive Sea Lake
- Birchip Community Engagement Session, Tuesday 18 August, 11.00am to 12.30pm, Community Leisure Centre, Morrison Street Birchip
- Wycheproof Community Engagement Session, Tuesday 18 August, 4.00pm to 5.30pm, Shire Hall, 367 Broadway Wycheproof
- Donald Community Engagement Session, Wednesday 19 August, 11.00am to 12.30pm, Shire Hall, 35 McCulloch Street Donald
- Charlton Community Engagement Session, Wednesday 19 August, 4.00pm to 5.30pm, Charlton Park 2020, Calder Hwy Charlton
Consultation Period:
- Opens Monday 17 August 2026
- Closes: Sunday 30 August 2026
How You Can Be Involved
Council is seeking community and stakeholder feedback to help shape the future of the aerodrome network. All feedback received will be considered in the development of the strategy. You can be involved by:
Project Timeline
- Aerodrome Strategy Commencement (Complete)
- Background and desktop assessment of current network, infrastructure and utilisation (Complete)
- Site visits and community engagement sessions – 17 to 20 August 2026 (In progress)
- Stakeholder and agency interviews (In progress)
- Detailed assessment of issues and opportunities (September 2026)
- Draft Aerodrome Strategy developed (October 2026)
- Draft Strategy presented to Council (November 2026)
Document Library
- Printable Community Survey Form (CG to provide)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Aerodrome Strategy?
The Aerodrome Strategy is a Council project to assess the current and future role of Buloke's five aerodromes and guide future investment, management and priorities across the network.
Why is Council reviewing the aerodrome network?
To ensure decisions about the future role, service provision and investment in each aerodrome are made on a consistent, evidence-based basis and reflect community and stakeholder priorities alongside Council's strategic and financial position.
How will the Strategy affect my local aerodrome?
The Strategy will bring together information from site assessments, usage data, stakeholder input and community feedback gathered through this engagement process. Once all of this information has been considered, recommendations will be developed and presented to Council for consideration.
How can I have my say?
By attending a community engagement session, providing written feedback, or contacting the project team directly, see How You Can Be Involved above.
What happens to the feedback I provide?
All feedback received through the community engagement sessions, written submissions and individual conversations will be collated and considered alongside other information gathered for the Strategy, including site assessments and usage data.
This feedback will help inform the recommendations that are developed and presented to Council. If you would prefer to share your feedback confidentially or discuss it individually rather than in a group setting, please contact the project team directly to arrange this
Contact Us
Have questions or want to learn more about this project? Contact our team:
Name: Chris Gardner
Phone: 1300 520 520
Email: cgardner@buloke.vic.gov.au