Council to Stand Against SPA Over Airstrip

COUNCIL TO STAND AGAINST SPA OVER AIRSTRIP Wyong Shire Council is aiming for a head-on clash with the Department of Civil Aviation and the State Planning Authority over the development of an airstrip for the shire. A local resident, Mr. Parry, has spent many thousands of dollars over the last couple of years developing a strip at Pollock Avenue, Wyong, with complete council backing. He has cleared, drained and filled the strip at his own expense. At present he is constructing amenity buildings, again with council backing. But the State Planning Authority, after hearing of the work, has contacted the council. A spokesman said the authority was concerned that the development at the airstrip was currently proceeding and was opposed to the construction of an airfield in this location, because of the adverse effect it might have on the strategic studies in the Wyong Shire. “We feel an airstrip is needed,” Wyong Shire President Malcolm Chalmers said this week. “A ridiculous situation has developed where many industrialists are flying people to Cessnock and transferring them to Wyong and Gosford by car. “When Mr. Parry has developed his strip fully they will be able to fly straight here. “The needs of industry in the area for an airstrip is great at present, but with all the future development it will become even greater.” “At present Mr. Parry has just signed a contract with local industry for air-lifting goods and this service will be in even greater demand in the near future.” Cr. Chalmers said that the sooner DCA took a stand and stopped “shilly-shallying around” the better it would be. “If DCA approves of Mr. Parry’s strip officially, we are in a good position to state our demands to the State Planning Authority. “We need an airport here and the council is prepared to back Mr. Parry the full way to get the matter officially approved,” he added.