AOPA Australia CEO, Benjamin Morgan, will attend the Central Coast Council, Monday 9th March 2020, meeting speak to Agenda Items 6.1, 6.3, 6.5 and 6.7.  The meeting is live webcast, members and industry supporters can access the feed via the Central Coast Council YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyln2VFr5PyJenUkg1RiG9A

Agenda 6.1

1. That council notes the repeated calls from the Aviation Community around vegetation safety issues at the Airport including their dismay at Council resolving to plant more trees at the end of the runway, it has been more than six-months since Council resolved to ‘study’ the vegetation and that this ‘study’ is likely to be further protracted while the public safety issue continues to escalate.

2. That council notes its clear responsibilities around public duty of care and its commitment to reduce liabilities on behalf of our Ratepayers.

3. That having regard to 2 above, Council now urgently expedite action this issue and seek independent legal advice around what ‘Emergency Powers’ Council may have similarly to The Entrance Channel Flooding to allow us to immediately resolve this issue.

4. That further Council makes urgent representations to the Peak Aviation Control Bodies including CASA seeking their guidance and assistance around this serious Aviation Public Safety issue.

5.  That Council thanks the Central Coast Aero Club and their highly professional Pilots who have repeatedly drawn this escalating vegetation issue at the ends of the runway to Council’s attention and their strident opposition to Council planting even more trees.

Agenda 6.3

1. That Council request the Chief Executive Officer undertake preliminary investigations into opportunities for a formal relationship with Newcastle Airport that benefits the Central Coast including, but not limited to:

a) increased tourism opportunities including marketing and facilitating visitation to the Central Coast region;

b) arrangements regarding air freight traffic that benefit Central Coast businesses and industry;

c) any other opportunities for investment or favorable arrangements that deliver a positive financial return that benefits the Central Coast community and/or Central Coast Council.

2. That Council request the Chief Executive Officer provides to provide a briefing to Councillors in June 2020 that outlines options to be further explored and next steps.

3. That Council request the Chief Executive Officer to provide a further report to Council by the end of July 2020.