The historic RAAF Williams base located at Point Cook will be divested, with personnel relocated to other bases including the nearby Laverton site. The Laverton site has seen significant transformation over the past two decades, with former airfield space developed into the suburb of Williams Landing
The federal government’s decision to sell RAAF Base Point Cook has triggered a wave of local backlash, with residents and councillors warning that one of Australia’s most significant defence heritage sites could be sacrificed to the pressures of housing growth.
On 4 February, deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles announced the 342-hectare base — regarded as the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force — would be among 67 Defence sites set to be fully or partially divested.
Nearby RAAF Williams Laverton will be partially divested, in line with recommendations from a Defence audit released publicly alongside the announcement.
For many in Point Cook, the reaction has been less about politics and more about identity — and a growing worry that “divestment” is simply a softer word for irreversible change.
Point Cook resident Ben Batchuluun says history and community will be losing a limb if the base is sold.
“All over world history is what’s left, it is supposed to be protected, preserved and included in every budget, every year, and by any government,” Mr Batchuluun said.
“It’s part of the identity of the people and the identity of the future people here as well,”
“Not only is it a heritage site but it is what makes our community what we are, the neighbourhood with planes flying over it constantly.
“The kids love it, my friends and guests love it when they visit us. said Batchuluun
“Lastly, from my experience and my knowledge of history, tearing down and belittling the past and history in general, deprioritising historic sites and viewing them from a cost perspective is shameful.
“I believe all historic elements, military or otherwise, should be left intact.” he said.
Councillors warn of “disastrous” consequences
Wyndham councillors Susan McIntyre and Jasmine Hill have also spoken out, describing the base as too central to Point Cook’s character to be handed over to the market — and warning the prospect of residential developers moving in would be disastrous.
“I am personally opposed because this is not just land– it is the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force and one of the most significant defence heritage sites in Australia,” Cr McIntyre said.
“To see it listed for total divestment is shocking and deeply concerning. Once public ownership of a site like this is lost, it is gone forever. That is a line we should not be crossing.”
She also raised concerns the suburb could be pushed into further growth without the basics being locked in first.
“Adding further growth without guaranteed infrastructure would seriously undermine liveability.”
Cr Hill backed the heritage significance but said the site’s value extends beyond commemoration — and into real-world education pathways.
“I have VCE students who aspire to become pilots and pursue aviation pathways through RMIT and training connected with RAAF Base Point Cook,” Cr Hill said.
“This is a living training ecosystem, not just a historic site.”
She proposed repurposing the area into a specialised engineering and aviation education precinct, built through partnerships with universities and industry — an idea that reflects a broader local frustration
Petition calls for consultation, clarity and infrastructure guarantees
Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari has launched a petition calling on the federal government to consult the community about future land use and guarantee local infrastructure that would benefit residents. He did not state whether he opposed or supported the sale.
A state government spokesperson signalled openness to housing outcomes on the site.
“While this is a decision made by the Commonwealth, we welcome the opportunity to work together to unlock land for more housing,” the spokesperson said.
“Any future proposal would be considered on its merits and subject to a planning process.”
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said he would work with the community to ensure the base’s heritage is preserved and that infrastructure is delivered before any further housing expansion.
A familiar fear: sell first, plan later
Beyond the immediate backlash, the disappointment in Point Cook is sharpened by what hasn’t been provided: a clear public plan for what “sale” means in practice, what parts (if any) would be protected, and what commitments would be locked in before the land changes hands.
In fast-growing suburbs, the sequence matters. If land is sold without firm protections and staged infrastructure requirements, communities can end up with development outcomes that are difficult to reverse — even if “heritage considerations” are noted during planning.
Once the land moves out of public ownership, leverage can shift dramatically, and the debate often becomes about minimising damage rather than pursuing the best public outcome.
For locals watching the announcement settle in, the concern is blunt: that a nationally significant place — one that has shaped the suburb’s character and Australia’s aviation story — is being treated as a balance-sheet opportunity first, and a cultural asset second.
RAAF Williams – Laverton was established in 1925. Headquarters Air Force Training Group, the ADF School of Languages and the Defence International Training Centre is located at the site.
According to www.defence.gov.au properties on the Commonwealth Heritage List are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Defence says.
The federal government is required to safeguard a site’s Commonwealth Heritage values during any sale, with alternative heritage management options also under consideration.
There are 2 Commonwealth Heritage Listings on the site. These cover the Officers Mess, the eastern hangars and the West Workshops precincts.
The site is also home for some of the Air Force Heritage Collection. Planning is underway to consolidate the Air Force Heritage Collection at Point Cook Museum
