Secrets of Warnervale’s Central Coast Airport masterplan finally revealed

THE long-held secret Central Coast Airport masterplan has landed after years of secrecy surrounding the plan.

Central Coast Council votes to suspend plans for expansion at Central Coast Airport, as the long-awaited masterplan comes to light. Picture: Sue Graham

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THE long-held secret Central Coast Airport masterplan has landed, however the document will not be taking off for public comment, and its aims abandoned by the new look Central Coast Council.

Wyong Shire Council’s Central Coast Aviation Hub Concept Plan, details seven stages of development for the regional airport, including provision for manufacturing, training and air tourism services.

It includes plans for more than 30 ha of terminal, industrial hangar, and development site space.

At Monday night’s council meeting, councillors grounded the airport and dismissed staff recommendations to place the $450,000 plan on public exhibition, which would allow for community feedback.

An artists impression of the Aviation Hub from the Central Coast Aviation Hub Concept Plan

However, the plan can be viewed by the public on the council’s website.

Labor councillor Doug Vincent successfully passed a motion to confirm support for the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act, which prevents expansion of the airport site, ensures the current 1196m runway is maintained, and suspends all upgrade work.

The concept plan had outlined seven stages of development spanning from 2017 to 2037. Stage one includes a hangar and aircraft assembly facility to be completed by September 2019, while stage 2 is a Central Coast Aero Club and general aviation airpark.

This also includes strengthening the existing runway and increasing the width from 10m to 30m.

Stage 3 included a passenger terminal. Studies for Stage 3 showed 63 residents to the north of the hub would be affected by increased noise emitted from the facility.

Stages 4 and 5 included retail sites and while Stage 6 allowed for the expansion of the runway to 1799m to be completed by 2033.

According to Deloitte Access Economics CGE modelling the 1800m runway would increase the local economy by $312 million.

The Aviation Hub would include seven stages of development. Picture: Sue Graham

The hub would increase regional employment by 109 full time jobs per year. Data provided by firms who made a commitment to rent hangar space indicated the hub would create around 950 full time jobs.

Capital expenditure costs for the 1800m runway hub would have included $638 million in capital expenditure and $2.28 billion in operational costs.

The council’s surge ahead for the airport expansion had been roundly criticised by the State Government and expansion plans were quashed in August by NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts who refused to repeal the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act.

Independent councillor Bruce McLachlan said the public should be given the opportunity to comment on the airport plans.

An aerial view of the current airport site in Warnervale

Bruce McLachlan says the public should be given the opportunity to comment on the masterplan. Picture: Ashley Feder

“Unfortunately certain councillors didn’t think Central Coast residents’ opinion warranted the $10,000 outlay to exhibit consultation on its own major infrastructure project,” he said.

“It’s not our airport. It’s the Central Coast residents’ airport.

“Air travel has an exciting future and the Central Coast has an exciting opportunity to pull off a major coup.

“(Flying from the) Central Coast to Gold Coast or Noosa for a weekend, would probably rate highly for many Coast residents looking for a getaway.”

He said voting against the airport was “yet another lost opportunity”.

Independent councillor Louise Greenaway was against putting the plan on public exhibition due to a number of “flaws” and its “preliminary nature”.

“I think it’s inappropriate to put this information before the community and ask them to comment,” she said.

“We should only ask the community to comment on real, not hypothetical, models.”

Council also resolved to reallocate budget to the development of Central Coast Airport to employment generating projects in the former Wyong local government area.