A CALL for expressions of interest in the removal and restoration of Raymond Terrace's Sabre jet went before Tuesday night's meeting of Port Stephens Council.
The call was one of the recommendations in a staff report on what to do about the deteriorating state of the aircraft which is displayed in Beetles Park.
The acting recreation manager, Ian Crawford, said the council should not spend any more time on the project unless money was made available to restore the craft and maintain it. Around $400,000 could be required. He said if there were no funds the council should call for interest in its removal and restoration.
Already the South Coast-based Historic Aircraft Restoration Society has told the council it will take the jet, restore it and put it on display at its museum.
There would be no cost to the council. Mr Crawford said the offer had merit as the council did not have the expertise to do the work and funds were limited. A better solution to recognise the town's links with the RAAF might be to erect a sculpture or signs and other interpretative works.
They could cost between $20,000 and $50,000.
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