“Plans back on the runway.” Central Coast Express Advocate, 3 September 1997.
This article marks an important change in the Warnervale Airport dispute, recording Wyong Council’s return to active redevelopment planning after the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act 1996 had effectively halted the earlier proposal.
Rather than immediately pursuing the previously discussed 1800-metre runway, council proposed a staged approach beginning with a 1200-metre runway. Significantly, the first-stage study was to consider safety, environmental issues, particularly aircraft noise, operational efficiency and cost benefits. An integrated environmental assessment of the wider Warnervale area was also required before the proposal could proceed.
The article also clarifies the continuing relationship between Wyong Council and Traders Finance Australia. The developer had advised council that it still wished to proceed, while a council report stated that the 1995 agreement required council to use its “best endeavours” to obtain approval for the project.
Of particular historical importance is the indication that the 1200-metre runway was potentially only stage one. If the environmental assessment was accepted, consultants would subsequently advise on the optimal runway length for stage two. The legislation permitted an increase from 1200 metres to as much as 1800 metres with ministerial approval.
The proposed request to amend the 1996 Act to allow the Minister to vary the curfew and daily movement limits also demonstrates that operating restrictions remained a significant issue in the redevelopment debate.
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