OUR HERITAGE AT RISK - TASMANIA - 2008

PLACE:      Holyman's Airways Hangar, Launceston  Airport  

THREAT:  Destruction

Photo by:  National Trust of Australia (Tasmania)

Statement of Significance:

The Holyman Airways hangar at the Launceston Airport is the oldest surviving purpose built aviation related building at any airport in Tasmania. Constructed in late 1932 the erection of the hangar followed the formation of Tasmanian Aerial Services Pty Ltd through the amalgamation of Holyman’s flying activities with Mathews Aviation in October 1932.

The building served as both hangar and passenger terminal for Holyman Airways, Australia National Airways and finally Ansett-ANA up until the opening of the present airport terminal in 1966. Since then it has continued to be used as an airfreight terminal.

The hangar is the most significant surviving aviation building associated with Holyman Airways which later as Australian National Airways was the largest airline in Australia before the Second World War and responsible for a number of fundamental contributions to the development of the Australian aviation industry.

Statement of Risk:

Degree of Risk:    High risk - no solution agreed

Threats/Risks:     Destruction

Fate/outcome:      Stable

The continuing sustained increases in passenger and freight traffic at the Launceston airport has required the development and expansion of a range of airport facilities by

Australia Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd the operators of the airport. One of the buildings originally proposed for demolition as part of the expansion program was the original Holyman Airways hangar.

Following the identification of the heritage values of the hangar, Australia Pacific Airports have commissioned a heritage study of the hangar to determine the most appropriate future management of the building.

Desired Outcome / Vision:

The desired outcome for the Holyman Airways hangar is that it remains at the Launceston airport.

In achieving this outcome it should be possible to ensure the future of this building while enabling the continued development of the Launceston airport to accommodate the continuing increasing passenger and air freight demands.

The rapid positive response by Australia Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd once advised of the buildings heritage values through the commissioning of a heritage study of Holyman’s hangar provides optimism for the buildings future.

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