Warnervale Airport: Independent review calls for community views

What would you like to see at Warnervale Airport? Central Coast residents can now give their input into the future of the airport.

Coast residents can have their say on the future of Warnervale Airport. Picture: Sue Graham

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Central Coast residents can now give their ideas and opinions on the future of Warnervale Airport.

Submissions are open as part of an independent review, commissioned by the State Government, into legislation governing the airport.

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said the review of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act would consider the best way to regulate the airport into the future and look into flight movements and runway length.

“Warnervale Airport is an important regional asset and feedback from the community will play an important role in determining its future,” Mr Crouch said.

Mr Crouch said the airport was a “critical asset” for the coast. Picture: Troy Snook

“Warnervale Airport is training our next generation of pilots and enabling medical evacuations and bushfire emergency responses to take place.

“I encourage all local residents, Aero Club members and interested stakeholders to take a look at the terms of reference and provide your feedback or come along to a public forum.”

Central Coast MLC Taylor Martin said the review, to be carried out by planning expert Abigail Goldberg and aviation specialist Peter Fiegehen, would provide more certainty about the future operations of the airport.

Central Coast Aero Club recently held its annual Fun Fly Day at Warnervale Airport. Picture: Troy Snook

“We want to ensure we get the best outcome for this asset and the region and so we’re asking the community to be part of the process and provide feedback,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Crouch said any commercial decisions around the airport would be a matter for its owner – Central Coast Council.

Council voted to suspend all works at the airport including any plans for development of an aviation hub on November 27, 2017.

Since then, Councillors Greg Best, Bruce McLachlan and Jilly Pilon have brought a number of unsuccessful rescission motions to the chamber to overturn the decision and consult the community.

Submissions for the review are open until February 28 and a public forum will also be held on February 28 at the Wyong office of Central Coast Council.

For further information on the review and how to make a submission visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/warnervale-airport.