Issue 123 August 15, 2017
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Airport (Restrictions) Act decision a blow to Council’s expansion plans T
he NSW Minister for Planning, Mr Anthony Roberts, has decided to keep the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act in place.
Central Coast Council expressed its disappointment following the announcement, stating that the decision would impact on the Council’s masterplan for the Central Coast Airport. Independent candidate for the Wyong Ward, and long-term campaigner to keep the Act in place, Mr Laurie Eyes, said the Minister’s decision was a stunning victory for the community and a rebuke for Council. Mr Roberts announced his decision to keep the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act on Friday, August 11. Mr Roberts said the current regulations restricting further development and expansion of the airport would remain. After an extensive review by the Department of Planning and Environment, which included significant community and stakeholder consultation, Mr Roberts accepted recommendations to keep the Act as it currently stands. This means that any expansion sought by Central Coast Council, owner of the airport,
Ms Louise Greenaway, independent candidate for the Wyong Ward, near ongoing Council work at the Central Coast Airport will require ministerial consent. “We have made sure that everybody had a chance to have their say, council, community and other stakeholders, in regards to Central Coast Council’s request to repeal the Act,” Mr Roberts said. “The Department ensured that all matters
raised were adequately addressed before finalising the review. “Expanding the operations to create an aviation hub or regional airport is a big deal to local communities and not a decision that could ever be taken lightly. “Based on the recommendations by the Department, I have
decided to leave the Act in place, meaning that any significant expansion of the airport and its operations by the Council will still need ministerial consent. “I believe this remains the most appropriate way to currently regulate activities at the airport.” Mr Roberts said the government would
consider whether additional controls on future development at Warnervale Airport might be needed to ensure any further proposals were subject to community consultation, rigorous environmental assessment and determined by an appropriately impartial body.
Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Warnervale Airport, now Central Coast Airport, was the only airport managed by a Council in Australia that was subject to such restrictions, particularly relating to aircraft movements. Mr Reynolds said Council had been up front about its desire to develop the airport for general aviation and leaving the Act in place could impact on this possibility. “The airport is a major asset for Council and the community, with the potential to create hundreds of jobs and opportunities for our growing community,” Mr Reynolds said. “We know this because we recently tested the market, with our Expression of Interest process to turn the airport into a general aviation hub, and the response was positive. “We are currently developing a masterplan out of this EOI process which was always going to be subject to rigorous community consultation and state government scrutiny. “This announcement has significant potential to affect this process and our ability to promote employment on the Central Coast.”
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