General News
4 April, 2023
Airport works complete
CORANGAMITE Shire Council’s works team has finished a new transfer pad at the Cobden Aerodrome.
CORANGAMITE Shire Council’s works team has finished a new transfer pad at the Cobden Aerodrome.
The new pad will help agricultural pilots load chemicals for aerial spraying and for aerial firefighting purposes.
This is a new addition to the Cobden Aerodrome to complement the normal airside usuage by light aircraft and the existing transfer pad for the Air Ambulance activities.
With an area of 1365 square metres, the circular pad and 90 metre connection to the runway are equivalent to more than half a kilometre of sealed road.
Shire manager works Peter Rogers said the pavement and sealing specifications were much higher for the pavement of a loading pad and/or runway strip than a road.
“The soil in Cobden is difficult to build anything on,” he said.
“The weight of aircraft with small wheels requires greater depth of sub base plus spray seal and asphalt.
“Also the aircraft needs to carry out a 360 degree turn around and the turntable wheel generally digs in over time.”
Mr Rogers said the contractor would reinstate the surrounding shortly with a bit of topsoil or crushed rock.
The $200,000 project was funded through council’s capital works budget.