How did we get here?
The short answer may be waste and bad decisions by various Victorian governments. If the money wasted were available for Victorians, they would not have to pay twice ("Cost Recovery" - Double Dipping) for more and more services that, in the past, were, for example, included in rates.
Examples:
The Victorian government has spent at least $1.1 billion to terminate the East West Link contract, including $339 million to the East West Connect consortium and additional sunk costs and bank fees, according to The Age. Furthermore, the state has spent $67 million to pause the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, reports The Age.
Commonwealth Games Cancellation: The decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games in July 2022, due to a significant cost increase from $2.6 billion to nearly $7 billion, is a major example of potential waste.
Agency Losses: Several government agencies reported substantial losses, including the Department of Health ($415.5 million) due to pandemic-related expenses like PPE and rapid antigen tests. Other agencies with significant losses include a regional rail operator, WorkSafe, the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, and the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing.
Everyone now has to pay for government losses. Let's not make their grab for cash make things even worse in the long run. That said, sometimes local government may listen to people on the ground who know the solutions; hopefully, this is such a time. Wellington Shire, to their credit, has reached out to the community.
*The below sign does not actually say "Charges Apply" but contrast that with the positive message "Taking Flight in the Middle of Everywhere"
Last year, Yarram Aero Club (YAC) has CONTRIBUTED $12,500 towards the new terminal building at Yarram Aerodrome.
The new landing fees will only generate, say, $3,000.
This is 1/4 of what YAC paid last year to Wellington Shire. The fees will, however, decrease the club's ability to raise funds, much of which we've already paid to Wellington Shire. If you do the math, you'll see that the landing fees are effectively punishing the club for supporting the Shire and make no financial sense. Wellington Shire will be worse off, which means the people will lose in the long run.
RVs (Recreational Vehicles) bring in a lot of business to "RV Friendly Towns"; you can find the reasoning for this here.
RAs (Recreational Aircraft) are the same; they bring in business. Often, a family will fly to an aerodrome and pay a visit to the town. They are not all "Rich Pilots"; many of the small planes cost a lot less than a fancy RV.
Do a thought experiment: What would happen if you CHARGED every RV a fee to drive into a town? Now think about what would happen if you recharged them EVERY HALF HOUR.
Yarram could have a new aviation industry, but charging more landing fees is not the way to encourage it.
There may be other, less growth-oppressive and short-sighted ways for the council to raise money.
"The smarter move may be to go against the trend and attract pilots from all over Australia by not introducing yet more charges, indeed have the lack of fees as a selling point for "The Middle of Everywhere."