The Central Coast Airport Resistance Group has recently formed in the lead up to the latest review of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act (WAR) 1996.
Group President, Laurie Eyes, said the object was to resist any expansion of the airport and encourage future industrial subdivision, and use of the airport site as the Wyong Employment Zone.
He said Central Coast Council resolved on November 27, 2017, to fully support the WAR Act and to not approve any development that is inconsistent with the Act.
“Council’s resolution supporting the Act with a 9 to 5 vote has been tested, by way of Cr Greg Best’s rescission motions, five times since 2017,” Eyes said.
“The most recent of his rescission motions on June 11, 2019, was defeated with councillors voting 8 to 6 to support the Act.
“Cr Best’s rescission motion duplicates many of the provisions of the Act.
“For example, it asks for community consultation, wants to engage with the community for the first time on this issue through an independent survey, and then consider whether to exhibit the draft master plan for the airport.
“All of these requirements are enshrined in Part 4 of the Act, with the Minister to undertake the community survey and consultation as part of the review to expand operations.
“It appears that the dissenting Councillors actually support the Act, so why mount a rescission motion against the Act only to support many of the provisions within it?
“All Council needs to do is apply to the minister for a runway extension beyond 1200m and the dissenting and approving Councillors’ requirements are satisfied, assuming the Minister approves the application.
“Council’s position is reinforced by the fact that in its current form, the Act serves all the stated requirements of the Central Coast Aero Club and airport proponents, including dissenting Councillors.
“The Act is fair to all stakeholders, allowing expansion of Warnervale Airport if after following proper and independent assessment and full community consultation stipulated in the Act, the expansion is justified and supported.
“The Act provides for Central Coast Council and the Central Coast Aero Club to apply to have the 88 movement restriction increased.
“All Council management has to do is apply to the Minister for a runway over 1200m, say 1201m, in the location of the current 1196m runway, and at the Minister’s direction, have the 1201m runway independently assessed under Part 4 of the Act.
“If the runway is approved, Council can apply to have the 88 movement restriction increased under Part 2 of the Act.”
Eyes said that he believed the reason Council management, the Aero Club and airport proponents wanted the Act repealed, was that Part 4 of the Act stipulated that any proposal was to be independently reviewed, with the Minister to appoint an independent person to review any environmental impact study, put in place arrangements for community input on the review, undertake an independent noise study and notify all residents within 7.5km radius of Warnervale Airport, asking for submissions on the advantages and disadvantages of proposed operations of Warnervale Airport.
“While the community would welcome an independent review under the Act, I believe airport proponents can not afford any independent review of any description of their fatally flawed airport proposals.
“It is obvious why the previous NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, decided to retain the Act, with a view to strengthening it if required.
“The Act protects the interests of the affected and rapidly growing community surrounding the airport while allowing airport proponents the opportunity to expand the airport should it stack up following independent assessment and community input.
“What could be fairer than the WAR Act 1996?
“Why would airport proponents seek to have the Act reviewed with a view repealing or altering it?
Eyes said the Act should be retained in its current form, as it served the needs of, and is fair to all stakeholders, allowing change, but with independent assessment and full and wide ranging community consultation.
Source:
Media statement, Jan 31
Laurie Eyes, President, Central Coast Airport Resistance Group