Ex-RAAF Commander Warns Melbourne Could Be Left Without Military Air Base Amid Labor’s Sell-Off

As the Labor government considers a mass sell-off of military bases and sites, a former senior air force commander is calling on authorities to consider any means to keep hold over one particular strategic asset.

During a Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee hearing on May 18, former Wing Commander David Chaplin argued assets like RAAF Williams–Point Cook would have an impact on emergency response, pilot training in the area, and heritage value.

Chaplin said that with Australia’s current terror threat level at “probable”—meaning there is a 50 percent chance of an incident in the next year—losing the west Melbourne facility would place the 6 million Australians living across the major city and Geelong at risk.

“Point Cook is accessible by air land and sea. Its airfield is in very good condition, it’s regularly used, and able to be secured,” he told the Committee investigating the management of defence estate assets.

Selling it off, along with the now-defunct RAAF Williams—Laverton, could also leave Melbourne as the only mainland capital city without a nearby military air base.

Point Cook’s facility has strategic value because of its location within the Melbourne basin and proximity to major assets including ports, sporting venues, and one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries in Geelong.

Helicopters from Point Cook can reach Melbourne’s CBD and Geelong within five to 10 minutes with the closest alternative at East Sale, which is much farther away.

“I don’t believe any other regional airfield could adequately replace this capability in times of need,” he argued.

Labor’s Broader Defence Asset Sell-off

The federal government announced in February that RAAF Williams—Point Cook would be sold as part of a nationwide overhaul of the Defence Department’s land and infrastructure.

The move followed the release of the Delivering the Future Defence Estate review, which argues that several assets are underused, costly to maintain, or no longer fit the military’s needs.

It recommended selling 68 sites for $1.8 billion to $3 billion, and reinvesting the proceeds into other defence priorities and veteran housing.

Call for Trust Model

Speaking on behalf of the Australian Air Force Association, President John Bushell said the group was not opposed to the recommendation but proposed a different path through a community trust model.

Bushell described Point Cook as Australia’s most significant aviation heritage site, noting that the Central Flying School was established there before World War I and Australia’s first military aviators trained there.

He argued a community trust could protect the site’s national significance while also creating employment opportunities and support heritage tourism.

“Memorials were purposefully located at Point Cook in view. It’s preeminent in military aviation history, and their location must be preserved,” he told the Committee.

However, while they supported a broader sell-off, they argued Point Cook should be treated differently, warning that housing developments on the site could compromise its heritage.

Cadet Flying Program Concerns

Chaplin also raised concerns about youth aviation programs if Point Cook were sold.

He said the site allowed cadets, parents and volunteer instructors to travel easily and return home the same day. He also said relocating such programs elsewhere could reduce participation and make volunteer support harder.

“Should Point Cook be fully sold, I believe that there is no facility close to Melbourne and Geelong where cadet aviation operations could effectively be relocated without significant expense for the loss of benefits offered by the current facilities at Point Cook.”

Bushell also backed continued aviation activity at the site, including museum operations, cadet flying, recreational aviation and vintage aircraft activities.

“I think we should add in there that we support the notion that that airfield could be an important defence asset if used in the way that Mr. Chaplin suggested.”

Both representatives also spoke about the emotional significance of Point Cook for many Air Force personnel.

Chaplin said he had a “personal affinity” with the site and that his experience reflected how many personnel feel about it.

“I joined the Air Force at age 17 and was transported in the front gate there in 1980 and here I am at 64 years old, and I’m still engaged in activities at Point Cook, off and on.”

“There’s so much history there.”