Council has no plans to close airport

Wyong Shire Council does not support the upgrade of Warnervale Airport to accommodate large passenger planes, while also giving an assurance there are no plans to close it down.

General Manager, Kerry Yates, said Council voted in 2003 not to proceed with the development of a regional airport after much public consultation and obvious express concerns.

“Council resolved back in February 2003 it would no longer support the idea of a regional airport at Warnervale,” Mr Yates said.

“The impact on running aircraft as large as 737’s in the area is quite significant.

“Wyong Council remains committed to limiting use of the airport to current levels.”

Mr Yates also said there was no truth to rumours that the Warnervale Employment Zone (WEZ) would impact on the airport’s existing operations.

“The WEZ plan permits the airport to continue operating at its current level and does not permit expansion of the site into a large regional airport facility,” Mr Yates said.

“The Central Coast Aero Club has an agreement with Wyong Shire Council to operate Warnervale Airport until 2021 and Council is bound to this agreement.

“In fact, Council has already rejected a proposal to expand the airport into a large regional facility.”

In addition, the State Government passed the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996.

This Act limited the size of a new runway to 1200m, imposed restrictions on aircraft types and limited aircraft movements to 88 per day while also imposing a night time curfew.

Such restrictions mean any plans to upgrade the airport would not be economically feasible, and resulted in Council voting back in February 2003 not to proceed with the development of Warnervale into a regional airport.

Mayor Warren Welham said he believes the Central Coast can be serviced adequately by Newcastle Airport, which has steadily grown over time.

“I understand the Federal Government is revisiting the second airport issue for Sydney and I strongly believe Newcastle Airport, given the success of its operation currently, should be part of that consideration,” Mayor Welham said.

“Newcastle Airport has grown enormously in terms of passenger turn over and regular services and is close enough to service and benefit the Central Coast.”

Media Contact: Steve Norris 02 4350 5191 or 0434 323 782

Page last updated: 12/05/2008