Following the resounding success of the Central Coast Airshow last month, Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) has renewed its calls for the development of the Central Coast Airport and a light aviation precinct at Warnervale.

RDACC Chair Lawrie McKinna says the event highlighted the many benefits a regional airport and light aviation precinct would bring to the Central Coast and it’s time to put this catalyst project back on the agenda.

“While the Central Coast Airshow provided a great boost to our local economy, it also put the development of a Central Coast Airport and light aviation precinct back into the spotlight for many Central Coast stakeholders,” says Mr McKinna.

“In 2015, RDACC officially supported the development of a Masterplan and staged development plan for a Central Coast Regional Airport and light aviation precinct, due to the enormous economic potential this asset would create for the Central Coast.

“IN 2021, the NSW Upper House voted to repeal the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 to reduce complexity AND support local aviation, with an overwhelming majority of the  community supporting the repeal of the Act.

“It’s now halfway through 2022 and we’ve seen a lot of talk and relatively little action for an initiative that could be a gamechanger for our region – including the creation of 2,500 local jobs and the unlocking of the nearby Warnervale employment zone.

“With the recent change in Federal Government and a State Government election set for early next year, its time for all of our major regional stakeholders to take a renewed interest in this project and come together to make this a reality for our region.”

RDACC CEO and Director of Regional Development, John Mouland, says similar projects have been successfully delivered in other areas and have unlocked a wealth of positive benefits for their regional communities.

“A few years ago, I had the pleasure to meet with the Wagner Corporation Executive Team, who were responsible for the delivery of the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport,” says Mr Mouland.

“This discussion provided a first-hand insight as to how an airport could be constructed over a 19-month period to become the first major greenfield public airport development in Australia in over 50 years, and the first privately funded airport in the country.

“During the time of these discussions, RDACC was working in collaboration with key regional stakeholders to discuss development options for the already established Warnervale Airport.

“Unfortunately to date, no further development of Warnervale Airport has occurred, which is extremely disappointing, as I have had the opportunity to follow the outstanding development progress of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, and the tremendous impact this project has had on the entire region.

“Although I am excited for the Toowoomba region for what this project is delivering, I am saddened that a similar initiative has not yet been delivered on the Central Coast, especially considering that we already have an established airport, an endorsed Warnervale Employment Zone, additional adjacent commercial and industrial lands, substantial upgrades to the M1 freeway, recent funding commitments for High-Speed Rail, and the delivery of the much anticipated NorthConnex.

“To our elected officials, government bodies and Central Coast industry leaders, our message is simple: let’s deliver on the untapped potential our region possesses to achieve the outcomes that the people of the Central Coast rightly deserve.”

Read more on the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and associated projects.