THE long-term future home of the Uiver memorial plane is shaping as a battle between sites in central Albury and East Albury which could come to a head as early as Monday night.
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The findings of the Uiver display and interpretive facility feasibility study will be tabled for councillors consideration with the preferred option being the purchase of a hangar in Bristol Court which will be used to complete the plane's restoration and when complete fitout the building for a "simple museum".
But coincidentally a notice of motion has been submitted at the same meeting by Cr John Stuchbery requesting consultants Peddle Thorp, Architects be invited to prepare a feasibility study for the development of a high-level Uiver International Museum of Flight in the area covered by Belbridge Hague lawyers, the laneway between the legal firm,LibraryMuseum and Retro Café.
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The Uiver Memorial Community Trust, which is carrying out the restoration of the replica 1934 London to Melbourne air race plane, is supportive of the Bristol Court option.
In addition to Bristol Court, the feasibility study considered an extension to the LibraryMuseum in QEII Square and purpose-built facility near the city's visitor information centre within the railway station precinct.
But both options were ruled out due to significant cost outlays and lack of support from the "majority of stakeholders" including the Albury and District Historical Society.
Council chief executive Frank Zaknich said in notes attached to the meeting agenda that council officers met with UMCT to discuss the outcomes of the feasibility study and successful negotiation to acquire the Bristol Court hangar.
"A range of property, planning and general aviation area information has since been sent to the UMCT, who have lodged an application for financial assistance by way of a 10-year interest free loan and rebate on lease fees plus outgoings," he said.
"The application is currently being considered by staff and will be the subject of a further council report in September.
"There is no budget allocation for the proposal as detailed in this notice of motion."
Cr Stuchbery said: "The reason for my motion is that not everyone who read the report or attended the briefing session with the consultant was pleased with the final outcome".
In October 2014, the council transferred ownership of the plane to the UMCT after earlier agreeing to provide a $300,000 interest-free loan to build a hangar to house the aircraft during the restoration phase.
But, in 2015 the UMCT informed council it would not be utilising the loan and the plane was relocated to a hangar owned by Smartair.
