THE Uiver memorial plane’s fate could now be decided by the next Albury Council after a move to delay its sale was successful in the lead-up to the September elections.
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The council called for expressions of interest for the Uiver’s sale in March, but yesterday the process was placed on hold pending an independent heritage assessment of the plane.
The assessment loophole will determine its significance for listing in the Albury Local Environment Plan 2010.
Lavington-based heritage consultant Nicole Fransen confirmed yesterday she had submitted a formal request the plane’s historical significance be assessed, which if successful, could see the plane remain in Albury.
The heritage assessment will be carried out in coming months, placing the Uiver’s future back in the election spotlight.
“I have come forward and said it should be heritage listed,” Ms Fransen said.
“I am grateful the council has decided to look into it.
“There has been huge support generally in the community who agree there are heritage issues that need to be addressed.
“My efforts have been supported by a number of other people.”
Further discussions and representation from interest groups, the State Heritage Office and National Trust has identified a need for an updated review of the significance of the DC-2 to Albury.
“If it’s successful it will have implications on what can happen to the item in terms of what you can do with it physically,” Ms Fransen said.
“It is around conservation and what approach you take to that strategically.”
The Uiver issue has split the council.
Deputy mayor Neville Hull successfully campaigned for the retention of the Uiver in the 2008 election, but even he conceded defeat in March that the fight had been lost.
His last chance for the Uiver was lost when the opportunity to relocate the Camden Aviation Museum to Albury collapsed.
