“Some on the wrong flight path over council’s role in airport row.” Central Coast Express Advocate, 30 August 1996.
This letter provides a detailed defence by Wyong Shire Council Mayor Tony Sheridan of the council’s role in the proposed development of Warnervale Airport. Sheridan responds directly to criticism from Andrew Penfold of the Australian Democrats and addresses several important aspects of the controversy, including the recently enacted restrictions on aircraft movements, the proposed runway development, environmental assessment and the council’s dual role as a party interested in the development and the determining authority.
Of particular historical interest are Sheridan’s figures for existing airport activity. He states that Warnervale was averaging approximately 70 flights per day but experiencing more than 300 flights on some weekends, contrasting this with the new statutory limit of 88 flights per day. He argues that this restriction undermined the economic rationale for spending approximately $15 million on an upgraded 1200-metre runway.
The letter also records the significance being attached to the earlier Land and Environment Court proceedings. Sheridan cites the court’s rejection of the Central Coast Airport Action Group’s challenge as evidence that the council had followed appropriate planning and environmental procedures.
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