Following on from South Africa, the Imperial Airship Communications Committee travelled on to Australia. It is unknown whether they went by the coast of India or across the sea from Cape Town to Perth, but what has been recently discovered on a map of the proposal of a mast in Keeling Island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, so they may have had a direct crossing taking in this set of islands.
Proposed Locations
On arrival at Perth in Western Australia, they recommended the establishment of a site in the vicinity of the city, plus an additional one either in Melbourne or the Sydney area to serve the population in the Eastern Australian area. The original 1926 plans were that the Imperial Communications must reach Australia, and the fastest means at the time would be by airship. The sites selected along the way were deemed the refuelling points for the main connection of the air service.
The Australian Government had agreed to the concept and understood the benefits which would come out of having a link; however, after the selection of Perth as a base, the selection of Western Australia locations became troublesome, as the exact decision could not be made. This caused problems with neighbouring Countries, such as New Zealand, which also wanted a mast site, but were totally dependent on the Australian decision before they could agree to the funding of a mast site.
Melbourne
After initial reports returned, and inspections made, an area to the north of Melbourne near Malmsbury was seen as most suitable for a three-mast and double shed base
As the discussions carried on for the next few years, the Imperial Air communications Group concentrated on the actual setting up and construction of sites, hence, although a later decision, the Canadian mast was operational and complete whilst the Australians were still deciding.