Patrick Tucker, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

After more than a decade of planning, lobbying and volunteer effort, Cohuna’s upgraded aerodrome will officially open on July 7.

Driven by community volunteers and later overseen by the Cohuna Lions Club, the project has delivered a longer runway, new lighting, a terminal building and improved facilities for emergency services and visiting aircraft.

The initiative began in 2013 when local residents Andrew Gibbs and David Elliott set out to improve the aerodrome and strengthen its role as a regional asset.

Mr Gibbs said the vision was to create a safer and more capable facility.

“We wanted to ensure aircraft could refuel at the aerodrome and encourage people travelling through the region to stop in Cohuna,” he said.

“We also wanted to improve the facility so it could better support the community into the future.”

The project would go on to span more than a decade and overcome numerous challenges.

Mr Gibbs said the journey proved far more difficult than he and fellow advocate David Elliott had originally anticipated.

“David and I thought when we started this that it would be a walk in the park, and it certainly wasn’t,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, he said strong community support helped keep the project moving forward.

“That rally in the park, when 500 people turned up to support us, was probably the proudest moment for me.

“At that point in the journey, we needed that extra drive.”

Over the following decade, the project progressed through planning, business case development and discussions with all levels of government before securing a $2.57 million Commonwealth Government grant.

Mr Gibbs said the original plans included a longer runway, fuel facilities and a range of supporting infrastructure.

While rising construction costs reduced the scope of what could ultimately be delivered, he said the completed works still represented a significant improvement for the town.

“The end result was an extension of the landing area to 1050 metres by 23 metres, a PAPI lighting system, a small terminal building and upgrades to the apron area,” he said.

The Cohuna Lions Club eventually took responsibility for delivering the project, with volunteers overseeing the grant and continuing to maintain the facility.

Chairman of the Cohuna Aerodrome Redevelopment Board Keith Clark said the Lions Club stepped in when concerns emerged about the future of the aerodrome.

“When there was some concern regarding the future of the airport, the Cohuna Lions Club was prepared to take on this project and appointed a committee, the Cohuna Aerodrome Redevelopment Board, to execute it,” he said.

“This journey has been very difficult at times and has taken a long time, but to its credit, the Lions Club has persevered and seen it through to its completion.”

Mr Gibbs added that the runway extension and associated upgrades would improve access for emergency services.

“We now have a longer runway, which improves access for air ambulance services during hot weather,” he said.

“We also have a wider runway, which provides safer operations.

“The new PAPI lighting system allows pilots to fly a guided approach and provides greater operational capability in difficult conditions.”

Cohuna Lions Club president Anne Graham said improved medical access was one of the aerodrome’s greatest new benefits.

“It’s especially important for air ambulance services because patients often need to be transferred to Bendigo or Melbourne,” she said.

“Having an airport in Cohuna reduces the time patients spend in transit.

“There may also be opportunities for specialists or surgeons to fly in for the day and return home afterwards.”

Mrs Graham said the benefits extended beyond emergency services.

“The new terminal gives visitors somewhere comfortable to arrive, wait and access local services,” she said.

“It helps encourage people to come and use the facilities our town has to offer.”

Mrs Graham said the result was a testament to the support of volunteers and the wider community.

“We couldn’t have done any of this without the community and all the volunteers who helped along the way,” she said.

“Everybody who contributed, no matter how small their role, was beneficial to the project.

“That’s the only reason we’ve been able to get it through.” Mr Clark said there was a strong sense of pride among those involved.

“There is an enormous feeling of satisfaction and pride now this substantial and complex project is coming to fruition,” he said.

The official opening and dedication ceremony will be held at the Cohuna Airport Landing Area on July 7 from 10am, with community members invited to attend.

Mr Gibbs said the completed aerodrome would provide lasting benefits for the district.

“Security, stability, aviation tourism and opportunity,” he said.

“But above all else, improved medical services and patient retrieval capability.

“That’s the main reason the project was pursued in the first place.

“Everything else is a bonus.”

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 June 2026.