24-3-93 Air base eyea un ive By Mike Crean Lincoln University could extend its campus to the Wigram air base. The university, which is growing rapidly, has expressed interest in sharing accommodation and teaching facilities at Wigram with other civil users after air force flight training ends there in 1995, according to the head of a consortium negotiating to take over the base, Bob Davidson. Lincoln's Agri-Business and Econonics Research Unit had offered to do feasibility studies into all aspects of training envisaged by the consortium at the base if it could gain some help with finance for the task, Mr Davidson said. The university had joined the consortium of local groups interested in training in all aspects of aviation which was working with the Canterbury Business Development board and the Canterbury Development Corporation. The consortium had recently been approached by a major New Zealand company offering large-scale financial assistance in setting up the air force base as an international aviation training cen- The company would make a realistic bid to buy the base and become a joint user it timing and access could be worked out to suit, Mr Davidson said. However, the consortium still hoped the air force would maintain a presence at the base. It wouid be in the air force's interest to share uses with civil compa nies as it would benefit from the sharing ofideas, Mr Davidson said Dy rsity The presence of air force personnel at Wigram would add stability and status to the centre, he said. Mr Davidson said he agreed with Christchurch Mayor Vicki Buck (Star March 20) that the air force's Option Four for the use of Wigram should be re evaluated. Like the mayor and general public the consortium had not known of the option, which would consolidate air force ground training at the base, he said. It appeared the option had been dropped because it meant a reduction in the air force's annual savings from restructuring of $5 million. But this ignored the potential of the combined civil uses of the base to net up to S10 million a year in returns, Mr Davidson said. Criticised Mr Davidson criticised the air force for not studying the consortium's proposal or a joint military-civil training centre. It had kept asking the consortium to substantiate its figures but declining access o the base facilities for the consortium to nvestigate and assess its proposals, he Mir Davidson supported Ms Buck's cal for a working party to pur pressure on members of Parliament. Local Government MP Philip Burder said he was sympathetic to any move that could keep Wigram base going As far as he knew the air force had co operated with the city council as far as possible and he would be concerned if it had put obstacles in its or the consortium's way by withholding information. "I would like to study that more clo sely." Mr Burden said. 5-4-93 Wigram Sir,-Christchurch has apparently been consoled or just conned) by the assurance that the Royal New Zealand Air Force will remain at Wigram after the air force has gone. Perhaps it was argued that as shown by the RAF Museum at Hendon, such establishments can stand alone. But Hendon in the north of London has a much larger population base to draw on. Our museum needs more than just entry fees to sustain it. L. B. Henry (March 23) warned of the loss of income if events such as Wings and Wheels cease. The museum also depends on former service volunteers for aircraft restoration and guide duties. But if servicemen no longer retire from Wigram, then that support must surely wither. I predict that within a few years the museum 100 will be • relocated. C'mon Canterbury - do no let this happen.—Yours, etc., DENIS HAMPTON. March 30, 1993. 21-4 - 93 Wigram Sir,-In "The Press" (March 19) the Minister of Defence, Mr Cooper, seems oper-minded about future uses of Wigram so the Wigram Airfield Development Support Group would … appreciate a reply from the Minister on the following vital issues: 1. Would Defence refrain from any actions which would split or disrupt Wigram in any way until the Christchurch City Council's recently formed committee to study future uses has had a reasonable time to consider proposals? It is hoped that houses on the base and hangars will not be realiocated. 2. Proposals for Wig" ram must be viable, but now can viability ever be established if nobody knows the value the Government puts on Wigram except perhaps the $34.5 million Government valuation. For the good of the whole region would the Government allow a breather so Wigram can be redeveloped to recreate jobs and employment now being lost.-Yours, etc., W. J. C. ROYDS. April 5, 1993. [The Minister of Defence, Mr Cooper, replies: "The agency primarily responsibie for disposal of Crown land is the Office of Crown Lands, Department of Survey and Land Information. As a first step, an investigation pursuant to section 40 of the Public Works Act 1981 has been completed to determine which parts of the property, if any, would have to be offered back to the former owners or their successors. It is clear that some parts will have to be offered back at current market value and, in this sense, the land may be split if the former Owners decide to accept that offer. A timetable for vacating the base has yet to be finalised. Although it is planned that flying training will move to Ohakea by the middie of 1993, a number of ground training functions will remain at Wigram for somewhat longer. It is expected that houses outside the base perimeter will progressively be placed on the market during this period, but the houses on the base will be retained until the final phase of disposal of the base itself. This will aliow time for any groups to put forward proposals for the future use and development, of the land. The Office of Crown Lands would welcome any registrotions of interest in the land and its facilities. It should be noted, however, that any land disposed of would have to be sold at the current market value. The 1992 Government valuation of $45.6 million for the whole property, including the off-base housing and museum area, is an 'in use' value. A current market valuation for disposal is likely to be substantially lower, although housing would generally be expected to hold its value, provided all the houses were not placed on the market at once. in summary, the release of land for disposal at Wigram will take place progressively over the next two years. This should provide some time for proposals to be considered and for re-employment opportunities to be taken up."]