CCAC HISTORICAL ARCHIVES

To the Editor: Charges “Not True”

April 24, 1974

Source Citation:

Central Coast Express Advocate, 24 April 1974, “To the Editor: Charges ‘Not True’”.

★★★★★
High Historical Significance
Presents Wyong Shire Council's official response to criticism over delays in approving the Warnervale proposal, providing an important counterpoint to the Aero Club's position.

This letter to the editor provides the official response from Wyong Shire Councillor Vera L. Butler to growing criticism from the Central Coast Aero Club over delays in developing the Warnervale airstrip. Published in the same edition as Jack Neal’s reply, it presents the council’s position that it supported improved aviation facilities but was constrained by planning processes beyond its control.

Butler argues that the principal obstacle was not a lack of council support, but the requirement for approval from the State Planning Authority pending completion of the Gosford-Wyong Urban Structure Plan. She also points to meetings between the council, the Steering Committee and the Aero Club, as well as requests for revised proposals from the club, as evidence that progress was being made.

Together with Jack Neal’s response published the same week, this article offers a valuable balanced perspective on one of the defining disputes in the early history of Warnervale Airport. The two letters reveal the differing interpretations of the planning process held by the Aero Club and the council and illustrate the political tensions surrounding the airport proposal in 1974.

TO THE EDITOR CHARGES “NOT TRUE” SIR — Last week an article in your paper about airstrips in Wyong Shire said: “The (Central Coast Aero) club has been continually frustrated by Wyong Shire Council’s indecision, and has made representation to local, State and Federal Members of Parliament about its development application approval.” Dealing with the subject of approval or otherwise of a Warnervale airstrip, the article continued to comment on “continued disinterest by council.” The anonymous spokesman who accused Wyong Shire Council of inaction is invited to come into the open and debate these issues with me anywhere, any time, before any audience. For the accusations of inaction and lack of interest are not true. FACT: The council wants good air facilities in Wyong Shire. FACT: At least two councillors have openly commended the Warnervale programme. The council has always supported the concept of an airstrip on a suitable site for the club. FACT: The council cannot approve an airstrip without prior State Planning Authority approval, which approval cannot be granted to Warnervale land until the urban structure plan is released later this year. FACT: The technical sub-committee of the Wyong-Gosford Shires Steering Committee met the Central Coast Aero Club, on Wyong Council’s initiative, in January to discuss airfield development. FACT: Wyong Council, in the public interest, cannot condone an airstrip which might conflict with the urban structure plan. FACT: Wyong Council has asked for fresh proposals from the club for temporary use of the airstrip. These proposals were received recently and will be considered soon by the council. May I ask why the CCAC has apparently decided that the council is responsible for all the delay — and why it has assumed the council is against the Warnervale airstrip? I am certain the Steering Committee, in its recommendation on the urban structure plan, will take into account all aspects relating to the suitability of a chosen site or sites. — Vera L. Butler Councillor, Wyong Shire.
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