WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY, 2026
History for sale By Jaidyn Kennedy The federal government’s announcement that it will sell RAAF Base Point Cook has been met with backlash, with some locals fearing history might be turned into housing. On 4 February, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed the 342-hectare site and birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force would be one of 67 military sites fully or partially divested. Nearby RAAF Williams Laverton will be partially divested, per the recommendations of a defence audit publicly released alongside the announcement. Point Cook resident Ben Batchuluun said “history and community will be losing a limb” if the base is sold. “All over world history is what’s left, it is supposed to be protected, preserved and included in every budget, every year, and by any government,” Mr Batchuluun said. “It’s part of the identity of the people and the identity of the future people here as well. “Not only is it a heritage site but it is what makes our community what we are, the neighbourhood with planes flying over it constantly. “The kids love it, my friends and guests love it when they visit us. “Lastly, from my experience and my knowledge of history, tearing down and belittling the past and history in general, deprioritising historic sites and viewing them from a cost perspective is shameful. “I believe all historic elements, military or otherwise, should be left intact.” Wyndham councillors Susan McIntyre and Jasmine Hill said the site is too integral to the suburb’s identity to be sold, and the possibility of developers purchasing the land for housing would be disastrous. “I am personally opposed because this is not just land– it is the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force and one of the most significant defence heritage sites in Australia,” Cr McIntyre said. “To see it listed for total divestment is shocking and deeply concerning. Once public ownership of a site like this is lost, it is gone forever. That is a line we should not be crossing.”
Ben Batchuluun and Cr Susan McIntyre are among Point Cook residents opposed to the RAAF sale. (Damjan Janevski) 532416_01
She has concerns about further housing development. “Adding further growth without guaranteed infrastructure would seriously undermine liveability.” Cr Hill said she supported the historical value of the site, but as a high school teacher said the site should be also kept for educational purposes. “I have VCE students who aspire to become pilots and pursue aviation pathways through RMIT and training connected with RAAF Base Point Cook,” Cr Hill said. “This is a living training ecosystem, not just a historic site.”
She proposed that the site be used as a specialised engineering and aviation education precinct, in partnership with universities and industry. Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari has launched a petition calling on the federal government to consult the community on future land use, and to guarantee local infrastructure that would benefit the community. He did not state whether he opposed or supported the sale. A state government spokesperson said it would consider working to unlock the site for housing. “While this is a decision made by
the Commonwealth, we welcome the opportunity to work together to unlock land for more housing,” the spokesperson said. “Any future proposal would be considered on its merits and subject to a planning process.” Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said he would work with the community to ensure the heritage of the site would be preserved and infrastructure built before any additional housing was developed. The Department of Defence was contacted and referred Star Weekly to its publicly available information. The federal government has not unveiled any plans beyond selling the site.
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