Somersby Scrapped as Site of Airport

SOMERSBY SCRAPPED AS SITE OF AIRPORT Somersby will not be the site of Australia’s next international airport; but the Central Coast will become the home of one of the country’s most thriving domestic aerodromes. By a Staff Reporter All plans for a study of Somersby as a site for a “second Mascot” have been dropped by the Federal Government. Confirming this exclusively for the Star, the Minister for Transport, Mr. Charles Jones, said that now only three areas were being considered. These were: • Galston. • Goulburn-Canberra. • Mascot airport with twin runways. Somersby has been in the Government’s mind as a site for a long period. Many officials feel that it is ideally situated, because of the quantity of land, the fact that the Central Coast is planned to become one of the biggest systems cities in Australia, and also the high rating of the area as an international tourist resort. However, the Minister has been influenced by the concern of the voters of Robertson, which has now become the 36th safest Labor seat in the country. He has also been influenced by the fact that many of the senior officials in the party feel that the rural charm, so necessary for the surroundings of the Old Sydney Town project, would be ruined by an international airport. However, steps are now underway to build a domestic aerodrome for the Central Coast. Definite need The aerodrome would almost definitely be sited at Warnervale and would have a runway between 3000 and 5000 feet long. It would also cater for all the aero-clubs in the district. The Member for Robertson, Mr. B. Cohen, said there was a definite need for such an airport. “People are flocking into the area in increasing numbers and many now need a swift means of transport, namely the plane. “I see this as an intra-state airport to start with, and it would cater a great deal for businessmen. “I’m at present discussing the matter with Mr. Jones, and I feel that a feasibility study could soon be carried out.” A suggestion that has interested many people, both in private business and at government level, is the idea for a heliport for Old Sydney Town.