Airport plan clears biodiversity pause bid as Gateway 2 work proceeds

Central Coast Airport planning will continue towards Gateway 2 after the Economic Development Committee rejected a bid to pause the process until the State Government finalises a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement. The airport motion passed 4-2, keeping the project moving while reserving major future decisions for Council.

The committee approved the next stage after receiving an update on 14 implementation actions required for Gateway 1. The endorsed staged model retains majority Council ownership of the airport and the land to the south, identified for strategic emergency services, aviation education and aviation support industries.

Council can consider selling or leasing part of Area 2 to help fund enabling infrastructure. Capital works funding is to be aligned with any proceeds from that transaction, and no additional capital funding was requested as part of Gateway 2.

Any disposal of airport land, external operating arrangement or additional capital commitment requires further Council approval. The committee also supported officers progressing an Expression of Interest to identify a suitably qualified external operator for airport operations only. No operator was appointed.

Cr Jane Smith and Cr Kyle MacGregor proposed deferring further consideration until the biodiversity agreement was finalised and reported to Council. Cr Belinda Neal joined the meeting before the airport vote. The amendment was defeated after a 3-3 split, with Smith, MacGregor and Neal supporting it and Mayor John McNamara, Cr Trent McWaide and Cr John Mouland opposing it. McNamara used the casting vote.

Airport lighting upgrades will proceed using the capital budget already approved for the 2026-27 financial year. Officers will continue due diligence, implementation planning and required approvals, with material matters to be reported to Council.

A planning proposal will be placed on public exhibition under statutory requirements, giving the community an opportunity to review it and make submissions before any final planning determination. A further report is due to the Economic Development Committee when Gateway 2 is complete.