Central Coast Council is proposing to ignore one of the actions councillors directed it to implement as part of the Warnervale Airport Masterplan.
Councillors will hear an update on the masterplan, in a briefing to the economic development committee.
The update suggests council could avoid preparing a Planning Proposal to rezone land at Central Coast Airport.
The rezoning was meant to “protect environmentally sensitive lands and support the ongoing operations of the airport”.
Community Environment Network (CEN) says it is “deeply concerning” to hear that Action 7 is not being actively pursued.
“At its core, Action 7 required Council to initiate a Planning Proposal under Part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979,” CEN Chair Gary Chestnut said.
“This is not an optional process. It is a statutory framework to ensure accountability, public consultation, and Ministerial oversight.
“The community deserves to understand why their Council is attempting to avoid a statutory process that exists precisely to ensure transparency, consultation, and due diligence,” he said.
“To see a local government seeking to bypass a lawful requirement is, frankly, the worst example of procedural avoidance.
“Sound governance requires commitment to legislative integrity and community engagement, not strategies designed to circumvent them,” he said.
The Economic Development Committee’s agenda states that council has legal advice that it can rely on the Airport Master Plan as a sufficient planning pathway.
Mr Chestnut said not pursuing a proper Planning Proposal has cost implications.
“Instead of fulfilling its legal obligations and preparing the Planning Proposal, it appears Council has elected to spend ratepayers’ money on legal advice aimed at sidestepping the process,” he said.
“This is not a minor procedural matter. It represents a significant departure from good governance and responsible planning practice,” he said.
The airport is surrounded by wetland.
The masterplan states that an environmental study highlighted the need for ecological offsetting and played a significant role in shaping the priority actions for the project.
The meeting is livestreamed from 5pm, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. FInd it on the Council channel on Youtube.
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