Warnervale Airport: Mayor calls for full financial and performance review

It’s been a source of rumours since plans around Warnervale Airport were controversially shelved late last year. There’s been constant calls for more public scrutiny and now the Mayor wants to take it one step further.

Mayor Jane Smith is calling for a full review into matters regarding Warnervale Airport. Picture: Sue Graham

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Circumstances surrounding the controversial Warnervale Airport plans may finally be revealed if Central Coast Mayor Jane Smith gets her way.

Cr Smith has called for an independent financial audit and performance review into all matters relating to Central Coast Airport to be carried out by the NSW Auditor General.

In a Mayoral Minute to be debated at tonight’s council meeting, Cr Smith said the November 2017 decision to suspend all works at the airport had been the subject of many rescission motions “causing concern in the community around council decision-making”.

Cr Smith said there was concern in the community over the issue. Picture: Troy Snook

“While some information relating to the development of the airport into a Regional Airport,

Aviation Hub, works and agreements with third parties, has been made public through

reports and Council’s Proactive Release Program, many questions remained unanswered,” the motion states.

Cr Smith has called for the investigation to review proposals and approvals for the development of an Aviation Hub at Central Coast Airport and Regional Airport at Kiar Ridge, financial records and activities including works and development applications lodged.

She is also calling for the review to invite and consider public submissions, as well as looking into any conflicts of interest regarding the airport as well as council’s processes and decision making.

An aerial view of the current airport site in Warnervale

“This Council is committed to moving forward on this issue and to making decisions in the

best interests of our community,,” the motion states.

“In order to do that successfully, legacy issues relating to the airport must be resolved.

“There needs to be a full and independent inquiry into previous decisions, works undertaken, proposals developed and agreements signed to progress a Regional Airport, the subsequent Aviation Hub and the Wyong Economic Zone. We need to understand and acknowledge this history in order to move forward as a council and a region.”

Wyong Council built a new road to the airport to accommodate aerospace company AAI, but terminated the contract earlier this year. Picture: Troy Snook

Councillor Greg Best has lodged many motions to rescind the November 2017 decision to suspend all works at the airport throughout the year, however with no success. He has constantly called on the council to consult with the community on whether they would like to see an airport hub at Warnervale.

In July, the Express revealed council terminated its 40-year lease agreement with Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) at Warnervale Airport, which could see it liable for damages of up to $60 million according to the council’s own legal advice.