Review of Warnervale (Restrictions) Act Frequently Asked Questions

April 2016

What is the purpose of the Review and why is it happening now?

• is subject to the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 (the Act). • The Act contains provisions requiring the Minister for Planning to review the Act. • Section 17 of the Act requires a review to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and if the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives. • Since the introduction of the Act, there have been a number of new planning instruments that provide for assessment of , as well as a number of regulations applying to aviation and related activities. • Council asked the Minister for Planning to consider repealing the Act as airports are strictly regulated under other legislation. • Wyong Shire Council is the owner of the Warnervale Airport.

What does the current Act do?

• The Act came into force on 1 June 1997, as a response to proposals at that time to expand the Warnervale Airport from a 900m runway to a 1,800m runway. • The overall policy objective of the Act is to impose restrictions on the future development and operations of Warnervale Airport to protect the amenity of the surrounding area. • Specifically, the Act provides for: o Restrictions on aircraft movements at Warnervale Airport, should there be a proposal to extend the current runway or a new runway is proposed to be constructed. o Limits the length of any runway at the airport to 1,200 metres, with potential to make an application to the Minister for a runway up to a maximum of 1,800 metres. o Prevents the construction of a new runway at the airport, except at a site approved by the Minister o A process to review any proposal to expand operations at the airport.

Will the review consider changing Warnervale Airport into a larger regional airport?

• No. This review is limited in scope to whether the Act remains the appropriate tool to regulate the airport. The review will not consider the role of the airport. • This does not prevent recommendations being made in the review report about the need for future strategic investigations into the role of the airport, or prevent Wyong Council undertaking its own strategic investigations.

Is the airport shown in the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan?

• No. The Warnervale Airport is not shown in the North Wyong Shire Structure Plan, Central Coast Regional Strategy, the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan or the Central Coast Regional Transport Plan.

• Wyong Shire Council has made public statements that the Central Coast needs a Regional Airport, and that the existing Warnervale Airport could be an option for this.

• The State has not given strategic endorsement to a regional airport incorporating passenger services at the Warnervale site or any other site on the Central Coast.

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Is the Department of Planning and Environment investigating non-compliance issue at the airport?

• Yes, the Department is currently investigating if the runway has been extended and as a result, if curfew and flight movement restrictions apply. The Department is also investigating if the vegetation cleared in the Environmental Conservation E2 zone at the southern end of the site has caused any environmental harm. • There are no current applications for the upgrade or extension of the airport. • The compliance investigations will not be affected by this Review.

How can I be involved in the review of the Act?

• An independent person with expertise in planning and government business has been engaged to undertake the review. • Directly affected landowners and stakeholders such as local government and environmental groups will be consulted about the specific objectives. • Written submissions about the objectives of the Act will be accepted. • You can view the Act or make a submission until 27 May 2016 at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/propopsals

What happens after the review is complete?

• The review will result in the preparation of a report for submission to the Minister for Planning, with recommendations about whether the Act continues to be the most appropriate way of regulating activities at Warnervale Airport. • The Act requires the review to be tabled in Parliament.

How do I comment on the proposal?

• Submissions on the Review of Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act can be made up until 27 May 2016. • You can make submission: o online at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/propopsals o by mail to: Directior Regions, Hunter and Central Coast PO Box 1148 NSW 2250

• All submissions will be made public in line with the Department’s objective to promote an open and transparent planning system. If you do not want your name published, please state this clearly at the top of your submission. Before making a submission, please read our privacy policy at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/privacy

Where can I find out more?

• Call our Information Centre on 1300 305 695. • If English isn’t your first language, please call 131 450. Ask for an interpreter in your language and then request to be connected to our Information Centre on 1300 305 695. • Email [email protected]

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