In short:
The Federal Government will hold a public information session next month following its decision to fully divest RAAF Williams – Point Cook and partially divest RAAF Williams – Laverton.
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Chance to Have Say on Controversial Sale
The future of one of Australia’s most historically significant military aviation sites will be discussed at a public community session next month, following the Federal Government’s decision to fully divest RAAF Williams – Point Cook and partially divest RAAF Williams – Laverton.
The Australian Government confirmed in February that the Point Cook base would be sold as part of a broader national shake-up of Defence land holdings, while parts of the Laverton site are also set to be divested.
The decision followed the release of the Delivering the Future Defence Estate audit, which found a number of Defence properties across Australia were under-utilised, expensive to maintain, or no longer aligned with modern strategic needs.
As part of the review, dozens of Defence sites nationwide are set to be sold, partially sold or reconfigured.
Feedback Session to be Held
A community information session will now be held in Laverton, giving residents an opportunity to hear directly from Australian Government representatives about the divestment process, transition planning and next steps.
The session will take place on 9 June 2026 from 5pm to 7:30pm at Laverton Community Hub, with a Defence address and question and answer session beginning at 5:30pm.
The event will cover multiple Victorian Defence sites, including RAAF Williams – Point Cook and RAAF Williams – Laverton.
Established in 1913 as the location for Australia’s first military flying school, RAAF Base Point Cook is widely recognised as the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force and the former Australian Flying Corps.
Potential End to Century of History
For more than a century, the site has played a major role in military aviation training, heritage preservation and Defence community life in Melbourne’s west.
Today, the 342-hectare site includes office space, an active airfield, the RAAF Museum, repository facilities and a venue for cadet training.
Defence has also continued maintenance works on a number of heritage buildings at the site, including painting and reroofing unused married quarters.
The announcement has already sparked concern among some residents and aviation history supporters, given the site’s deep historical significance to both Victoria and the nation.
Further details about the long-term future of the Point Cook site are expected to emerge as the divestment process progresses.
