9 FEBRUARY 2022
ISSUE 275
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
Plan to grow airport at Warnervale
A Tuggerah woman who has campaigned for the last five years to get lifts installed at the Tuggerah railway station is calling on Transport NSW to honour its promise to commence building work this year. See page 5
Out&About
Wyong Drama Group readies performances for 70th anniversary celebrations. See page 13
Business
Aerial view of the Warnervale airport site
A majority (75 per cent) of 602 residents who were surveyed in October and November 2021 supported the further development of Warnervale Airport — once they were given some detail on what the concept was. “The overall level of support for the airport development increased after respondents were made aware of the various benefits that it could have to the local community,” Woolcott Research and Engagement said in a report to the Council. “While support was reasonably strong initially, it increased to 75 per cent up
from 64 per cent for the initial read, while those not supporting the idea decreased slightly from 13 per cent initially, to 10 per cent after all of the information was provided,” Woolcott said. The concept included ideas such as a “regular passenger transport”, live-in campus style commercial pilot training, and a parallel taxiway. Respondents rated creation of employment opportunities and local business opportunities as the most important objectives of the proposal. “Without knowing the full details, many respondents felt that a development of this nature would result in employment and training
opportunities for local residents,” Woolcott said. “Again, without knowing full details, the main concern related to the noise from aircraft using the airport (26 per cent). “A concern over the potential environmental impact of the development, and the impact on road traffic were also raised (11 per cent and 9 per cent respectively). “However, more than a quarter of respondents had no potential concerns (26 per cent). The concept was first explained in the following statement: “Central Coast Council is currently investigating the potential
redevelopment of the existing Central Coast Airport at Warnervale. “The development would NOT create a larger regional airport and the runway will not be extended (as had been proposed in previous years). “Instead, the focus would be on utilising the existing airport land adjacent to the runway to attract aviation related businesses and to generate local employment. “I will provide further details of the current plan to you, but before I do that I would like to know your initial feelings about the general idea. “Please let me know how strongly you support this development idea on a scale
from 0-10, where 0 means ‘not at all supportive’ and 10 means ‘fully supportive’.” Respondents were then given more details. “As has been indicated, one of the key aims of the development would be to attract a range of aviation related businesses and have them located together on the land adjacent to the existing runway,” they were told. “The idea is to attract aircraft operators such as fixed wing and helicopter charter operators, airborne mapping operators, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance operations. See page 4
A contentious and ongoing DA to make premises on Ourimbah Creek Rd, Palm Grove compliant for what is known by locals as a “puppy farm” has gone back on public exhibition. See page 23
Sport
North Shelly Boardriders were the proud prize winners at the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final in Newcastle on the weekend of February 5 and 6. See page 32
Puzzles page 19
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
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