On page one, there is a report on the possible de-commissioning of the Corowa Aerodrome.
On page three there is a report on the impending National Fly-in of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, outlining the considerable benefit to the community of this event, which is of course dependent upon a functioning airport.
Some years ago, there was at the aerodrome a parachute diving school, which not only attracted students wanting to learn to sky-dive, but also hosted annual national sky-diving championships, not only a great spectacle, but a boost to our tourism and hospitality industry.
I believe it was a short-sighted then Council, which drove away this school by seeking to raise revenue to an unsustainable level for that small business.
We are constantly told that Council must operate efficiently.
However, there must also be an investment in infrastructure to encourage future growth and sustainability.
The existence of a refurbished and improved aerodrome facility will ensure the continued presence of such events as the Antique Aeroplane Fly-in, the Gliding company and private pilots, and it may also attract the parachuting community and ensure the continued availability of the airport for air ambulance and an alternative to Albury for commercial flights.
I would urge Council to take the long view, and to invest, and seek investment from Government, to ensure not only the continuation, but also the improvement of the aerodrome facility, for the benefit of the community.
David Kotthoff
Corowa
Aerodrome should be valued for its potential
The Corowa Airport should be seen as an asset and its potential explored with some creative aims and connections perhaps.
The two airport stories in the Free Press about the airport are contradicting: one it costs too much and the other a Vintage plane visit because they love the region, easy access to town from the airport, and how good the airport is.
The story states it’s ideal for antique aircraft.
The airport is perfect for tourism flights over the Murray and Wineries.
Maybe expressions of interest for hot air balloon tourism should be explored along with drone flying and drone racing and drone photo competitions.
The Corowa Airport must not be put in the too hard basket too soon. It should be a valued part of towns potential and tourism.
Stuart Davie
Corowa
Where is our operating theatre?
It is now 10 months since Murrumbidgee Local Health District abruptly closed the operating theatre at Corowa Hospital, with less than 24 hrs notice, following a review by a national committee, confirming what was apparently known two years earlier, that our set up no longer conformed to the latest standards.
Despite repeated requests in writing and questions during meetings, no written explanation/documentation has been forthcoming.
What is clear however, is that to return to the status quo in Corowa, a minimum of two million dollars will need to be spend by NSW health to bring things up to scratch and meet the latest national standard.
After six months of deliberation MLHD, in late 2024, announced that the operating theatres in Corowa would start again in early 2025.
It is now mid-March, and no fixed starting date has been given. What we'll get by the middle of the year if we are lucky is an endoscopy suite, meaning you may get a gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy, but nothing that involves cutting the skin, also known as surgery.
To get surgery back to Corowa we need a ground swell of support from the community, the business community, Federation Council and members of parliament.
Since May last year, local public patients have joined the endless waiting lists at either Albury-Wodonga Health or Wangaratta.
Like privately insured patients who also no longer have the option to have their surgery done locally without paying any excess, they will need to have a driver who takes the day off to get them there and back.
Before theatre closed, we were doing hernia repairs, vasectomies, Carpal tunnel syndrome relief, a variety of skin cancer excisions, many of which required skin grafts.
The visiting surgeon was keen to start laparoscopic cholecystectomies (keyhole removal of gallbladder) again before the closure.
Current waiting times at AWH for any of those procedures is well over two years.
Without theatre and a local GP anaesthetist, you lose the person with the appropriate airway skills to support an increasingly busy emergency department during life and death emergencies.
I look forward to a planned community forum on the subject soon and look for community support.
Dr Heinz Deiter
Corowa
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