Aero Club reply on Warnervale
SIR — In the article published in your newspaper on Wednesday, April 3, about airstrips on the Central Coast, it was not the intention of the person who made the comments to remain anonymous.
If Cr. Mrs. Butler wants to discuss these issues, what better time and place than the next meeting of the Central Coast Aero Club at Wyong Racecourse dining rooms on May 1 at 8 pm?
Cr. Butler has said that the accusations of inaction and lack of interest were “not true”.
This statement should only be made by people conversant with all the facts of past and present events.
Could Cr. Butler tell us of what action council has taken to help or support the efforts of the CCAC in their endeavours to establish an all-weather airstrip in the district?
I will admit that some councillors spoke very well of our project when our first development application was discussed on August 23, 1973, but support in the way of words is not what it takes to build an airstrip. To support verbally and not by actual constructive assistance is not enough.
Cr. Butler might remember receiving a letter in August 1973, from the aero club, as did all councillors, just prior to council’s discussion on our first development application.
In the letter we asked for approval for an interim period until council or S.P.A. considered it would interfere with their development. No decision was given about this request, and our development application was rejected.
Now, after about 10 months has elapsed, we find council saying “They consider an application for temporary use of the Warnervale site up to five years pending selection of a suitable alternate site.”
This suggestion and its associated conditions is almost the same as in our original proposal made to council in August 1973.
Is this eventual frustration or not, Cr. Butler? Also, is this action or inaction?
The meeting which Cr. Butler refers to re Gosford-Wyong Steering Committee and State Planning etc. was finally arranged by council’s initiative, but only after three requests by letter from the aero club.
As a result of that meeting, the aero club received a letter from council stating that an interim period of time could be considered, but also stating that all work on the existing airstrip must be approved by council, even to improve the airstrip surface, etc.
Which means that approval would be required even to grade the existing surface.
Is this trying to be helpful?
Immediately after this letter was received a request was made to council’s tree preservation officer for permission to clear trees on the southern approaches.
After two inspections, one of these by air, the officer explained the town planner required written permission from the adjoining land holders — also, maps of the area were to be included in our application.
These requests were complied with only to have our application rejected by the town planner.
It appears to me, and also the other members of the aero club, that council could overcome these difficulties if they had the genuine interest as stated by our councillor.
Speaking of interest: How many councillors could truthfully say that they have been out to view our airstrip?
It was suggested at one time that an inspection could be included in council’s works inspection programme, but this never eventuated.
Taking Cr. Butler’s FACTS as stated, we could ask these questions —
FACT 1: Council wants good air facilities — What has council done about trying to promote these air facilities?
There is an interested group who own adjoining land to the C.C.A.C. that wishes to instigate an immediate air commuter service for the area. Some councillors and council executives have been aware of this for some time.
FACT 2: At least two councillors have openly commended the Warnervale project. These councillors are known to us and their efforts are appreciated, but to commend a project by words from two is obviously insufficient to convince the majority.
Council has always supported the concept of an airstrip on a suitable site for the club, it is stated.
Has council tried to find an alternate site for the club and its endeavours, apart from trying to interest them in a swamp area that is totally unusable for about five months of the year?
FACT 3: Council cannot approve an airstrip without prior State Planning Approval.
After the recent meeting with the State Planning Authority, it was stated that if the airstrip could not be used in the overall strategy plan an interim period of time could be granted.
Why then the delays: permission for removal of trees; restrictions on surface preparations to the strip?
I might add that some years ago an offer was made to one of the past Wyong councils by the Department of Civil Aviation to subsidise development and maintenance of the wartime airstrip at Tuggerah.
This offer was rejected.
If council is so genuinely interested in trying to provide an airstrip for the Wyong area, would it be in the interest to inspect a seek advice on this site as this strip is still the only alternate site in the area.
The amount of gravel, drainage and preparation that went into building this strip in present day costs would amount to thousands of dollars.
We could summarise the events of the last two years of efforts to establish a much-needed facility for our shire in one word “FRUSTRATING.”
This should be council’s responsibility and any efforts to establish an all-weather airstrip should be given more council support and consideration than we have received.
I look forward to your anticipated visit at our next meeting.
Jack Neal
President
Central Coast Aero Club
