Issue 171 14 August 2019
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Silent protest brings Council meeting to a standstill
A
bout 150 supporters of the airport at Warnervale brought a Central Coast council meeting to a standstill when they stood in silent protest at a decision on Monday night, August 12. The Mayor, Jane Smith, called an adjournment and the Youtube livestream was turned off when the people started to stand in silent protest as councillors failed to rescind a decision made at a previous meeting. The previous meeting had decided to remediate land near the runway that had been “reportedly” cleared in August or September, 2015. Only Cr Greg Best spoke in favour of the rescission motion and
Some of the airport supporters at the council meeting with (centre front) Ben Morgan from the Australian Owners’ and Pilots’ Association and Andrew Smith, CEO of the Central Coast Aero Club when it went to the vote, nothing wrong. Best motion calling on runway. only Councillors Pilon, The meeting was council to fast track the The night had begun McLachlan, Burke and adjourned and numerous airport users licence with five supporters of Marquart supported him. councillors left the room. agreement. the airport speaking at The gallery was full with The councillors did not the public forum which Security staff and every seat taken. council officers tried debate the motion but began at 5pm. Earlier in the evening, to get people to leave moved immediately to With the Code of the Mayor had directed the gallery, saying the vote on it after Cr Best Meeting Practice stating the people standing to meeting would not introduced it. that residents only speak be moved to an overflow recommence until they Only two of the 13 on items on the agenda, room where they could did. councillors present did they had three items watch the proceedings to choose from and it However, people said not vote for it. on video. they had a democratic This was the third item caused confusion among councillors who When the vote was right to be there. about the airport and the the attempted to question taken, residents in result was applauded by The Mayor said the two the gallery who were further matters about the airport supporters the speakers. supporting the airport the airport were likely to with most of them then The Mayor told stood in silence. leaving the meeting. the councillors many be deferred unless the Other people who gallery emptied. Earlier, the councillors times they were asking attended the meeting to The stand-off continued had voted to engage questions on the wrong hear about other matters for about 15 minutes. an external specialist to items. including the new tree Central Coast Aero The Mayor then called undertake an up-to-date policy remained seated. the meeting to order and survey and analysis of Club General Manager, The Mayor asked the asked councillors if they the obstacle limitation Andrew Smith, talked surface at the southern about the height of the residents to clear the were willing to continue. gallery and some people They voted to continue and northern ends of the trees being a safety did leave the room but and the meeting moved airport and to start the issue and asked for about half the group on to the next airport required environmental more consultation from studies to seek approval council. refused to go, yelling issue. to manage tree heights out that they had done The last speaker was, This was another Cr on the approach to the
Tash Richardson, 16, who said she gained her recreational pilot licence at the airport. She asked council to do whatever it could to continue the airport operation. “The cost of becoming a pilot is the same as getting a university degree and that money goes straight into the local community,” she said, describing the airport’s accessibility and community as what made it attractive. Cr Doug Vincent asked if Richardson thought the airport should become a jet airport. “The way it is at the moment is perfect,’’ she replied, to cheers from the gallery.
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Source: Central Coast Council meeting, Aug 12 Items 2.4, 6.1, 7.1. Journalist, Merilyn Vale