NoneAU 🇦🇺 Closed Airport
AU-0682
-
2345 ft
AU-ACT
Loading...
Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -35.559393° N, 149.130177° E
Continent: OC
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: YWLE YWLE
Loading weather data...
Early 2015. The primary user, the Canberra Gliding Club, ceased all operations at the site and finalized its relocation to Bunyan Airfield (near Cooma, NSW) by March 2015.
Land use conversion for renewable energy development. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government, which owned the land, terminated the airfield's lease to facilitate the construction of the Williamsdale Solar Farm. The closure was a direct result of a government initiative to meet its renewable energy targets and was not due to economic failure, declining activity, or safety issues related to the airport's operation.
The site has been completely redeveloped and is now the location of the Williamsdale Solar Farm. The runways, hangars, and all other airfield infrastructure have been removed and replaced by a large-scale photovoltaic power station. The 11-megawatt facility, developed by the French company Neoen, features approximately 40,000 solar panels and began supplying electricity to the grid in late 2017.
Williamsdale Airport was a private airstrip whose primary significance was serving as the home base for the Canberra Gliding Club for over 50 years. It was a crucial hub for recreational aviation in the Canberra region, supporting glider pilot training, regular club flying days, and hosting numerous regional and national gliding competitions. It was not a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled passenger or cargo flights. Its operations were centered on unpowered flight (gliding) and associated tow planes, making it a vital community and sporting asset.
There are no plans or prospects for reopening Williamsdale Airport. The site is occupied by a long-term, high-value infrastructure project with an operational lifespan of several decades. Reverting the land to an airfield is considered economically and logistically infeasible and has not been proposed by any official body.
The marker has been moved to the proposed location for this airport. The 2004 Operational Feasibility Assessment Report can be accessed here: http://members.pcug.org.au/~mikec/srcg/docs/airfield.pdf
This airport marker is centred on Mount Gibralter at Williamsdale which is the first line-up marker for Canberra airport approach.