The Economic Development Directorate has posted their thoughts on the proposal to develop a general aviation airfield at Williamsdale, thereby getting private planes out of Canberra Airport.
They’ve basically decided the ACT Government just can’t be bothered:
In 2005 a proposal was put the ACT Government that it should develop a General Aviation airfield at Williamsdale in the ACT. The ACT Government, through the then Department of Land and Property Services, commissioned a study which established that the proposed site was technically feasible. The ACT commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to undertake a further study, on the financial feasibility of the proposal, in 2010.
The report determined that the proposal is financially feasible, but that the returns are marginal, and accordingly the Government has declined to undertake the development. As the report examines the demand and potential returns for such a development in the Canberra region, it has been made available to assist any individual or group which may wish to consider undertaking such a development in the broader Canberra region.