SPECULATION RAAF Base East Sale could close to save the Defence Department millions of dollars has been rejected by local leaders.
The claims come after the recent release of the Defence Budget Audit, which claimed closing and consolidating defence estates into `super bases' would improve efficiency and save money.
Last week metropolitan media outlets reported RAAF Base East Sale was one of three defence bases at the top of the list for closure if the government was to rationalise facilities.
However Wellington Shire mayor Darren McCubbin has rejected the speculation, claiming East Sale was part of the future of Australia's defence needs.
Cr McCubbin said the recent relocation of the Officer Training School to East Sale and the push for the Basic Flying Training School to also relocate showed East Sale was more likely to be targeted as a possible super base, rather than for closure.
"Council supports the concept of super bases,'' he said.
"That's one of the reasons why the OTS was relocated to Sale and why we're trying to establish the Basic Flying Training School here.
"Rather than East Sale being on the government's `hit list', I think it's quite the reverse.
"Sale could possibly be targeted as a super base over the next few years.''
The audit also suggested defence should attempt to locate possible super bases in areas that provided better employment, medical and educational opportunities for defence families.
However Cr McCubbin said Sale was well-equipped to accommodate expanding defence facilities.
"Sale is an area that has been supportive of the RAAF for many years,'' he said.
"We certainly need to continue building residential developments for defence housing and continue investing in cultural and sporting facilities to keep East Sale an attractive option.
"We're not taking (the base) for granted, we've been working hard to put this on the board ... to make East Sale a hub for defence training.''
Gippsland MHR Darren Chester has also rejected the possibility of East Sale closing.
"I think this idea has come as part of a general and inevitable discussion of defence rationalising its facilities,'' Mr Chester said.
"East Sale is fundamental to the future of our community as well as Australia's defence needs, and I'm confident it will continue on into the future.''
Mr Chester said if the base was to close, it would have a disastrous effect on Sale and surrounds.
"There would be riots on the streets of Sale if East Sale was closed,'' he said.
"We need to be continually providing improved health and education services to be an attractive option for a range of services, and defence is no different.''
Mr Chester agreed major investment at East Sale in recent years, including the OTS, was "a good indication of where Defence sees its opportunities in the future''.
"The future holds the prospect of major expansion at East Sale, rather than closure,'' he said.
"But we need to keep promoting its competitive advantages.
"It's well recognised in defence circles that East Sale offers attractive options (for the BFTS), in terms of airspace available and opportunities to expand infrastructure on the ground. I don't accept that there's any likelihood the base will close.''