Is it possible to relocate the
Queensland Air Museum?

When QAM's founders identified the need for an aviation museum for the people of Queensland, they believed, perhaps naively, that this should be a responsibility of government. Government believed otherwise. Undeterred, this group of dedicated citizens set about creating such a museum anyway. That they succeeded, is a lasting tribute to their tenacity. To expect them to do it a second time is a shamefully inadequate reward for their dedication over a period of nearly 35 years. During one week in September 2007, QAM buried its Founding President and its Operations Manager who had presided over the construction of QAM's Hangar 2. Both died believing that common sense and decency would prevail and that QAM would be permitted to remain and flourish on its existing site.

Any proposal to relocate the Queensland Air Museum needs to take into consideration the following facts:

	QAM was invited to come to Caloundra by the Council of the day.
	QAM is a not-for-profit society. None of the collection belongs to an individual member or group of members.
	Although run on efficient business lines, QAM is not a "business" in the accepted sense of the word. Nobody derives any income from the Museum.
	QAM does not possess the financial resources to relocate.
	QAM does not possess the manpower resources to relocate.
	QAM began with one aeroplane. The collection now stands at 40.
	QAM has been created for the community at negligible cost by many dedicated citizens. To ask volunteers to undo a lifetime's work and start again is callously harsh and few, if any, can be expected to accede to such a request.
	A majority of the QAM's current leaders are of retirement age and many are subject to medical limitations. Whilst it is true that we have a planned line of succession, we teach our aspiring leaders how to run an air museum. We do not teach them how to move an air museum.
	Already, indecision over tenure has meant that grants for building expansion could not be accessed.
	To provide for growth and an onsite helicopter landing facility (QAM hosts occasional visits from No 816 Squadron RAN), the area of any new site should not be less than 3 hectares but preferably 5 hectares.
	Any relocation of QAM cannot be predicated on the re-use of existing buildings. Before any relocation of aircraft or other exhibits can be permitted, it will be necessary for the developer to construct new museum buildings to a standard equal or superior to those at the existing facility. Ultimately, most existing buildings will need to be relocated and re-erected to provide for future expansion of the Museum.
	Any relocation of QAM will entail the careful dismantling and packing of 40 aircraft plus hundreds of smaller exhibits. QAM's contribution of manpower to such an exercise, assuming it can be found, will be limited to a supervision role only.
	For such a move, it will be necessary to employ a full time planner and overseer for a period of 6-12 months.
	For such a move, it will be necessary to employ a group of at least 6 mature workers (including at least 2 experienced LAMEs) as a disassembly/packing/reassembly crew for a period of 6-12 months.
	Relocation of any QAM exhibits cannot be entertained until there is a secure, under-cover facility to receive them. Temporary outdoor storage of exhibits currently under cover is unacceptable.
	Any costs arising out of relocating the QAM should rightly fall to those who stand to profit from the closure of Caloundra Airport.
	Any relocation will deprive the QAM of income for six months or more. QAM will need to be compensated for this loss.
	Any relocation will deprive the QAM of collecting and restoration opportunities for a similar period. For this loss of opportunity there can be no compensation.
	Any alternative site for QAM will need to provide tourism access similar or superior to the existing Airport location. Currently QAM is self-sufficient from tourism and intends to remain so without the need for government subsidy.
	QAM grew up around its first aeroplane, Canberra A84-225. In the first ten years of QAM's existence, this aircraft was moved to no fewer than three temporary locations in the Brisbane area. When it was moved to Caloundra in 1986, that was considered to be its permanent home. If the Canberra has to be moved for a fifth time, will it be to what is ultimately yet another "temporary" site? For this reason, any alternative site for QAM will need to be on a freehold basis or 99 year lease as a minimum. This business of moving the Museum every few years has to cease.
	Any costs arising out of relocation of the Museum will increase exponentially in the event that it is decided to relocate the Museum away from the Sunshine Coast.

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