Re: [Aussie_Stone] Help Aussie BASE buy a 1400ft A
Your expression of interest might be helped by covering how any hazards involving the object would be managed. You don't need to spell out chapter and verse, but at least highlight an understanding of the issues.
For example, provision for keeping the aircraft hazard warning lights operational;
Maintenance of the tower;
Commercialisation options - tourism development; accommodation, lift to observation deck, BASE watching, a climbing / abseiling wall on the bottom section, a zip line from the observation deck back to the ground.
Maybe add a museum preserving the history of the site, and the Omega network, for the public interest.
An additional possibility is for SAS specialist training facilities, allowing specialist training on an economically benefitial basis.
In order to gain support for something that is potentially sensitive, you need to demonstrate a broad vision, and a professional approach.
You need to develop a broad management strategy to demonstrate that the facility will not become a health hazard, or other cause of problems that might upset them.
Ugly as it might sound, you'll need to look into CASA regulations, and probably discuss with someone within the APF - preferably someone sympathetic to BASE jumpers - for assistance.
You also need a plan for raising enough money to buy the site, and maintain a fund for ongoing operating costs, and a capital structure. They may like the idea of keeping it intact in case they have a possible future use for such a facility, but want to avoid the cost of maintaining it in the meantime.
If they are running 24 hour manned security operations there now, it would be costing $500k per annum. They won't want to spend that kind of money on a disused site.
It will cost a considerable amount to dismantle, maybe nearly as much as the land value. Given the remote location, the scrap value will be lucky to cover the transport cost to remove it. It could represent an attractive proposition if it is shown that you would be saving the government a lot of money.
You should talk to local tourist business organisations and local government representatives. They usually have business development officers. Get them talking to their counterparts in Twin Falls (and maybe Lauterbrunnen) so that they can understand the economics and the obvious risks more objectively. Lauterbrunnen is less relevant than Twin Falls, simply because of the degree of risk difference between cliff jumps and antennae. Contact the state MHR
and MLC for the area. They have an election coming up. It might be worth contacting organisations such as the local fire service. This only has practical value in the event of a bush fire, but community support and public relations will be key to getting this up, and demonstrating that it is worthwhile to the bureaucrats and politicians.
You don't need to have all these things completed before you submit an EOI, but it helps to have initial conversations started, and a credible outline of the plan.
You'll need a consortium of 50 - 100 people putting up around $500k to get this off the ground.
aus of course