CEN calls for wetland masterplan as a priority

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is calling upon Central Coast councillors to defer approval of the Central Coast Airport Masterplan until they have fully protected Porters Creek Wetland and are fully informed about an expanded airport’s future noise impacts.

Porters Creek Wetland is the Central Coast’s largest freshwater wetland and back-up drinking water supply during drought.

It is an important green space representing a major junction for biodiversity corridors and providing habitat for threatened and endangered species.

CEN Chair Gary Chestnut said they were thankful that Council was finally putting forward a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement to cover 800ha of the wetland.

“But they could’ve done that five years ago when there was a Conservation Agreement ready to be signed off with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust,” he said.

“That agreement was canned by the Interim Administrator and senior staff even though the elected councillors of the day had agreed to its sign-off.”

CEN wants the airport masterplan deferred until a Porters Creek Wetland masterplan has been created and exhibited, along with a resolution to reclassify the wetland to community land so it cannot be sold and a plan of management be undertaken.

Chestnut said councillors and the community needed to know about the additional noise impacts from the airport.

“Council’s own major planning document – Central Coast Local Environmental Plan (CCLEP 2022) – includes clause 7.5 which mandates that Council can’t grant consent to a development in the vicinity of the airport that would hinder or have adverse impacts on the safe and efficient operations of the airport.,” he said.

“In other words, the airport will take priority if development falls within an ANEF (Australian Noise Exposure Forecast) contour of 20 or greater.

“ANEF contours are based on the average daily noise exposure levels over a one-year period and consider a range of factors, including noise intensity, duration and aircraft movement. “

Chestnut says that there are still many questions that need answers.

“Why has the community not been shown flight paths and noise maps?

“This information is extremely important for the suburbs around the airport, but it has never been made public

“Why have council staff never published a full and comprehensive business plan for the airport?

“Wouldn’t it be prudent to ask for a comprehensive business case for selling the land or exploring more lucrative options for its use before adopting the airport masterplan?

“Has the council even considered the benefits of utilising Porters Creek Wetland to attract blue carbon funding?

“Will the RFS really move to the airport from its established, purpose-built facilities at Charmhaven … where’s the signed lease agreement or even memorandum of understanding?“

Chestnut said Council should disclose the real boundaries of the wetland and airport, what areas of the wetland would require regular tree trimming if the masterplan was implemented, and exactly what land was going to be rezoned.

“Let’s be clear. CEN is not opposed to the airport and never has been, but we are strongly opposed to the adoption of an Airport Masterplan in isolation without having a Masterplan in place for the Porters Creek Wetland at the same time.,” he said.

“An Airport Masterplan considered in isolation, taking precedence over the Porters Creek Wetland, does not promote sustainability and the long-term amenity of surrounding suburbs.

“The Central Coast is gaining credibility as an ecotourism destination; we are slated for significant population growth, particularly in the north during the next decade; and we are acutely exposed to the risks of climate change.

“An expanded airport at Warnervale is not conducive with any of these factors.”