Historic RAAF Base in Point Cook Faces Potential Redevelopment, Sparking Community Outcry
The future of RAAF Base Point Cook, Australia’s oldest continuously operating military airbase and a site of immense historical significance, hangs in the balance as the federal government prepares to sell off 67 surplus defense properties nationwide. The move, intended to generate $3 billion for reinvestment in the military, has ignited fierce opposition from local officials and heritage advocates who fear the 112-year-old base will be carved up for housing development.
The Department of Finance has listed the Point Cook base, located in Melbourne’s southwest, among the properties slated for sale at market value following a comprehensive audit of Australia’s defense real estate portfolio. This decision impacts not only Point Cook but also prime locations in St Kilda, Carlton, and Sandringham, raising concerns about the preservation of national heritage and the impact on local communities.
Wyndham Mayor Josh Gilligan has vowed to vigorously oppose any attempt to convert the base into a residential area. “We’re prepared to go to DEFCON 1 to protect our city from this housing incursion because we’re sick of housing and no jobs and services for the people who move into them,” Gilligan stated, warning that such a development would transform Point Cook into Australia’s “least liveable suburb.”
The base is home to dilapidated, yet nationally heritage-listed, World War II aircraft hangars, which the government has previously considered demolishing. While demolition proposals were withdrawn in July of last year following a campaign by the National Trust, a recent defense audit report indicates that some of the historic structures have “deteriorated to the point there is no prudent or feasible way to remediate them,” posing a hazard to worker safety. Defense officials have reported spending $50 million on upkeep in the past five years, with an estimated further $163 million needed over the next 25 years for building maintenance. “Sites with significant heritage attributes are increasingly prohibitive to capability,” the department noted.
The potential sale could enable an estimated 7,000 new houses and accommodate 20,000 additional residents in Point Cook, according to Wyndham City Council estimates. However, local residents and officials express deep concerns about the region’s already strained infrastructure. Senthill Sundaram, treasurer of the Point Cook Action Group, emphasized the importance of preserving the base’s historical significance. “The heritage should be maintained. We have very little heritage; it’s all housing development, that’s what we have,” he said. Sundaram also highlighted the lack of job opportunities in the area and the inadequacy of existing transport infrastructure, noting that Point Cook Road is a “big bottleneck” and in dire need of duplication.
Victorian Labor MP for Point Cook, Mathew Hilakari, has formally petitioned the Albanese government, urging them to prioritize heritage protection and guarantee infrastructure improvements before any housing releases are approved. The petition underscores the community’s concerns regarding travel to train lines and freeways.
Wyndham has experienced rapid growth in recent decades, with housing increasing by 433% over the past 30 years, significantly outpacing the Victorian average of 65%. This growth has not been matched by job creation, with 62% of the working population commuting outside of Wyndham for employment.
Defense Minister Richard Marles acknowledged on Wednesday that the divestment process is not solely focused on housing. “I mean, there are some prime locations,” he said. “I imagine there will be a lot of interest and a lot of views about what they can be used for. But the reality is we will work through those site by site. It may be that some sites are suitable for housing. Obviously, other sites will have contamination, heritage restrictions, or other issues that need to be worked through.”
The release of surplus defense land has been welcomed by industry groups, with Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn stating that it would “go a long way in tackling the housing crisis.” She added that other government departments should follow suit in identifying and releasing underutilized land.
The Allan government has indicated a willingness to collaborate with the Commonwealth to unlock land for housing, with a spokesperson stating that any future proposals will be evaluated on their merits and subject to a comprehensive planning process. The fate of RAAF Base Point Cook, and the 66 other defense properties, remains uncertain, but the debate underscores the complex challenges of balancing national security needs, economic development, and the preservation of Australia’s rich heritage.
