❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the proposed name change of Learmonth Airport, focusing on responsibility for naming and the government's stance, balancing heritage and economic values.
AnsweredQoN 138Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LEARMONTH AIRPORT – NAME CHANGE
I refer to the attempts being made to rename Learmonth Airport. (1) Who is responsible for the naming of airports, and who will have the ultimate responsibility for deciding whether a name change will occur at Learmonth? (2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA
I refer to the attempts being made to rename Learmonth Airport. (1) Who is responsible for the naming of airports, and who will have the ultimate responsibility for deciding whether a name change will occur at Learmonth? (2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(1) Who is responsible for the naming of airports, and who will have the ultimate responsibility for deciding whether a name change will occur at Learmonth? (2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(1) Who is responsible for the naming of airports, and who will have the ultimate responsibility for deciding whether a name change will occur at Learmonth? (2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(2) Does the government have a view on the proposed name change; and, if so what is that view? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(1) Responsibility for the naming of an airport would rest initially with the owner of the airport. Learmonth Airport is a joint military and civil airport. The military section is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. The airport’s primary purpose is to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a short-notice, fully functioning military air base. The civilian section of the airport, while owned by the Department of Defence, is operated by the Shire of Exmouth via an arrangement with the Department of Defence to lease a portion of the land for a terminal and make use of the airport aviation infrastructure for regular passenger transport air services into the region. Discussion is taking place between the shire and the Department of Defence with regard to changing the name of the civilian section of the airport—the terminal building—to Ningaloo airport, leaving the name Learmonth to be associated with the Department of Defence infrastructure. (2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
(2) The government acknowledges the heritage value in the naming of Learmonth Airport and is committed to preserving that heritage in Western Australia. While the government is sensitive to the memorial nature of the naming, it is also keen to ensure that a balance is maintained between preserving heritage values and fostering regional economic values. Ultimately, any name changes should take place only after the Exmouth community and the Learmonth family have been consulted and given the opportunity to put forward their views.
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