Issue 91 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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May 10, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Government to review Airport Restrictions Act

Issue 91

Strategic endorsement to a regional airport has not been given

he NSW Government has not given strategic endorsement to a regional airport incorporating passenger services at he NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s review the Warnervale site or of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 has been any other site on the Central Coast. welcomed by Wyong Council.

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“Our central objective in growing Warnervale Airport as an aviation business hub has always been about creating jobs, attracting commercial investment and growing our local economy for the benefit of local residents,” said Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM. “We need the Act repealed to enable Warnervale Airport to reach its full potential as a catalyst for economic development and employment growth,” he said. “I congratulate the State Government on taking this initiative. “This is the only Act of its kind to regulate a single airfield and no other airport in Australia faces the same restrictions. “Since it was enacted, the modern NSW planning controls and regulations have changed to the point where the Act is basically redundant as other more rigorous processes are in place to govern changes. “There is simply no need for it,” he said. According to Cr Eaton, under current NSW legislation, with or without the Act, any major proposed changes to the airport would require an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) and

community consultation process. “It is important that the community understands what a game changer activation of Warnervale Airport will be for jobs on the Coast,” Cr Eaton said. “In its current form, it can cater for a wide range of general aviation and small capacity commercial aviation,” he said. “Right now we are in talks with an aircraft manufacturer to locate its manufacturing operation to Warnervale Airport. “This would be the first new aircraft manufacturing facility to locate in Australia in decades, and has the potential to create hundreds of jobs. “We have also been exploring with airlines the possibility of having passenger services to Melbourne, Brisbane and regional areas with small capacity aircraft that can operate from the airport. “It is key infrastructure to support population growth and that’s why it was included in the NSW Government’s Your Future Central Coast Discussion Paper 2015 and Gosford City has supported the airport in its submission to the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2016.

“Council is committed to working with all parties and neighbours to ensure that the Central Coast benefits from the advantages that other regions have gained from a general aviation business hub.” According to Wyong Council, there has been increased demand for general aviation use of Warnervale Airport. The council is preparing to advertise for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for general aviation and industry operators seeking opportunities to expand or build their businesses on the Central Coast. General aviation includes aviation businesses such as aircraft maintenance operators, recreational and corporate aviation, helicopter services and emergency services aviation. Council has allocated $6 million in 2016-17 as a first step in activating Warnervale Airport’s potential as a general aviation business hub. The funds will go towards voluntary land acquisitions and water, sewerage and road upgrades for the facility. Media release, Apr 29, 2016 Wyong Council media

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According to a ‘frequently asked questions’ document released by NSW Planning and Environment, the Warnervale Airport is not shown in the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan, the North Wyong Shire Structure Plan, Central Coast Regional Strategy or the Central Coast Regional Transport Plan. “Wyong Council has made public statements that the Central Coast needs a regional airport and that the existing Warnervale Airport could be an option for this,” the document said. The Department of Planning is currently investigating a noncompliance issue at the airport, the document said. “The Department is currently investigating if the runway has been extended and as a result, if curfew and flight movement restrictions apply. “The Department is also investigating if the vegetation cleared in the Environmental Conservation E2 zone at the southern end of the site has caused any environmental harm.” According to the Department of Planning, there are no current applications for the upgrade or extension of

Works completed by Wyong Council last year are being investigated by NSW Planning and Environment

the airport and compliance investigations would not be impacted by the review of the Act. The Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act requires the minister for planning to review it to determine whether its policy objectives remain valid and if the terms of the Act remain appropriate. “Since the introduction of the Act, there have been a number of new planning instruments that provide for assessment of airports as well as a number of regulations applying to aviation and related activities,” the document said. The Act came into force on June 1, 1997, as a response to proposals to expand the Warnervale Airport from a 900 metre runway to an 1,800 metre runway. The overall policy objective of the Act is to impose restrictions on

the future of Warnervale Airport to protect the amenity of the surrounding area. It restricts aircraft movement in the event there was a proposal to extend the runway or build a new runway. The Act: limits the length of any runway to 1,200 metres with potential to make an application to the minister for a runway of up to 1,800 metres in length; prevents the construction of a new runway at the airport except at a site approved by the minister; and provides for a process to review any proposal to expand operations. Stakeholders will be consulted about specific objectives and written submissions will be accepted until May 27.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Document, April 2016 Review of Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act Frequently Asked Questions


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