The Warnervale airport has attracted criticism from the members of the Catchments to Coast Advisory Committee who were treated to a preview of the as-yet unrevealed masterplan.

The committee said at its March meeting that the proposed masterplan plan had a strong focus on commercial opportunities but was not explicit about addressing environmental concerns such as spillover effects, flooding, and impact on the catchment.

The committee advises Central Coast Council on coastal management issues such as dredging, sea wrack, erosion and water quality of Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and the ocean lagoons.

The airport is situated on 44 ha which borders the 700 ha Porters Creek Wetlands at Warnervale.

Porters Creek is the largest remaining freshwater wetland on the Coast and Council says that as a filter of stormwater from the catchment, it acts as a kidney for Tuggerah Lakes. 

It is also significant for flood mitigation for the lower Wyong River.

As part of the airport masterplan process, Council said it would protect environmental and conservation land by identifying and excising these lands from any developable land.

At its February meeting the Council adopted a raft of staff recommendations about the airport including suspending the development of the Warnervale conservation agreement and any agreement with the NSW biodiversity Conservation Trust to permanently protect the Porters Creek Wetland until the airport masterplan and a plan of management and a subdivision plan is registered that subdivides the wetland and surrounding E2 land from employment land in Warnervale. 

The Council has been accepting up until April 5 no obligation responses in a Request For Information (RFI) from interested general aviation organisations and private individuals about locating and operating their businesses at Central Coast Airport.  

It said it may use any RFI response to “inform development” at the airport.

“Once the draft masterplan is developed the community will be invited to share their ideas, suggestions and comments,” Council said.

The Catchments to Coast advisory committee asked to be kept updated and said that they would continue to raise concerns.

The Coastal Open Space System (COSS) committee also received an update on the airport masterplan at its March meeting.

The minutes show there was no discussion on the masterplan but COSS requested Council identify some existing conservation reserves in the former Wyong LGA to be considered for trial under the COSS branding.

The committee also wanted staff to provide a presentation at a future meeting on the way Council property sale negotiations were carried out and possible new ways of thinking for Council negotiating on land that had high environmental values.

The February 8 meeting of Council-under-administration was told the development of a masterplan for Central Coast Airport has the potential to provide an integrated aviation, manufacturing, research, and education precinct that encompasses the airport and the surrounding lands. 

A survey of 602 mixed mode interviews with Central Coast residents aged over 18 found 75 per cent support for the general objectives behind the development of a masterplan which includes the creation of employment and enhancing business opportunities. 

Merilyn Vale