Windella community members oppose planned home-estate

 BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Members of the Windella Residents Community Group are concerned a manufactured home-estate planned for Windella violates planning laws.

Group leader Warren Baldacchino, argues the planned 282 home-estate will be too close to Maitland airport, and is concerned the airport could seek to develop the nearby land later on.

Mr Baldacchino also flagged the potential traffic increases, saying the additional units will bring 400 people to Windella, and will double the number of cars on the road.

Chris Speek from developer Mavid Group, says plans submitted to Maitland City Council are generally compliant with relevant laws. 

He also argues the group have considered the existing neighboring properties and airport when designing the estate.

Maitland City Council has called for public comment on the plan, and will accept submissions until March 4.

Newcastle Airport Signs Historic Clean Energy Deal

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Newcastle Airport is one step closer to making the transition to 100% renewable energy, thanks to a new partnership. 

It's been announced today, a new energy purchase agreement has been signed by the airport and Flow Power. 

The agreement with the leading renewable energy retailer, will see the airport achieve its reduced carbon emission target, 7 years ahead of schedule. 

Already, the airport has installed a 99 kilowatt solar system, powering 4% of its needs.

There's future plans for more solar to take the renewable power supply to 30%

Under the new agreement, the plan is for the airport to offset grid consumption with green generation certificates, with the capacity to explore off-site sources in the future, including wind projects when they become available. 

Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock, said he's excited to see the airport continue on it's road to a clean energy future. 

"Effectively, all the energy we buy is being offset, so that takes about 2000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the environment," he said. 

"Often people like to talk about it in terms of cars; it's like 500 cars being taken off the road." 

Newcastle Airport positioned for international flights and national defence

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has announced huge investment in Newcastle Airport, shaping the Hunter up as a new heartland for tourism and defence.

BAE Systems has received an $80 million contract over five years, to provide ongoing support for Australia's F-35A fighter fleet at Williamtown RAAF Base.

The Government's committed another $60 million to increase funding for the F-35A Industry Support Program.

A $164.9 million contract has also been awarded to Downer EDI Works to improve airfield infrastructure not only for military aviation, but to enable civilian international flights.

Patron Senator for the Hunter Hollie Hughes says it will benefit the economy in more way than one.

"At the end of the day, we're going to see a much more substantial runway, we're going to see much more substantial jobs and regional tourism created from that," Ms Hughes said.

"This is going to be a boom for all Novocastrians, very, very quickly."

Construction is expected to begin early next year and wrap up by late 2023. 

It's hoped local businesses with supply 75 percent of the total contract value.

The works contract alone is expected to support around 300 jobs.

Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock says the potential in opening Newcastle up to the world is even bigger.

"We really think that getting our region to Singapore, really then gives those connections, but also importantly the traffic in, you've got access to a number of markets, because Singapore's such a huge global hub," Mr Cock said.

"Also not forgetting the freight - we need to get our amazing green produce out into Asia."

The possibility of permanent international routes from Newcastle Airport have long been touted.

The Federal Government initially announced this commitment in May this year.

It's hoped the Airport could host at least two international flights a day, in addition to domestic services.

Mr Cock says it's a whole new chapter for the Hunter.

"We're trying to partner with the NSW Government now, so we get all the tiers of government combining into this project," Mr Cock said.

"We've done a 50 year vision for this airport. We think it's between five and ten million people - so think Gold Coast, think Adelaide Airport."

"That's what this region needs, if we're going to be the airport the region deserves and service the economic activity, not be a handbrake."

Calls to Support Local Council's To Save Struggling Regional Airports

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Concerns have been raised regarding the future of rural and regional airports, including Newcastle Airport, as the industry faces financial instability amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Labor is calling for the NSW Government to provide more assistance to local councils who own struggling airports to secure their viability now and after the coronavirus has passed.

Newcastle Airport is owned by Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council, on land leased from the Department of Defence.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren says it is the government's responsibility to step in and lend a helping hand to the councils who may still be reeling from recent drought and the bushfire season.

"We don't want to see these airports fold over," said Mr Warren. "We don't to see these costs incurred onto local councils that will ultimately land onto local communities."

The airline industry has already faced heavy turbulence over the past few months - and with Virgin Australia's collapse into voluntary administration, dozens more regional routes could be up in the air as well.

"Regional airports play a vital role around our regional communities and are huge job providers, that's no better displayed than in the Hunter," said Mr Warren.

"They are seriously struggling at the moment, and this will fall onto the laps of those who are under control of them - in this case, it's councils."

With twenty-six of the state's regional airports owned by local councils, Labor says the State Government must conduct an audit to ensure they meet the needs of regional airports and serviced communities on a case-by-case basis.

"They are a vital connection between the metropolitan and regional areas, all too often rural and regional NSW's get's over looked."

Newcastle Airport says they are remaining optimistic about their future after the pandemic.

                                Image Credit: Port Stephens Coaches

Port Stephens Police Retain Role at Williamtown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Bag scanning operations at Newcastle Airport will continue to be carried out by Port Stephens Police, despite Williamtown's new status as an international destination.

The first flight from Newcastle to Auckland, New Zealand will take off next Thursday, with just over half its seats with carrier Virgin Australia currently booked.

Hunter officers have been in talks with the Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police, deciding local officers will be re-trained to conduct federal policing activities.

“The airport’s classification has moved from category three to category two, but it’s not deemed a 'designated' facility, so there’s no requirement for the Australian Federal Police to staff the airport,” Port Stephens-Hunter Commander Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson said.

“However, the AFP has started training local NSW officers to deal with international crime detection and the prosecution of offences under state and federal legislation,” he added.

“There are new areas of policing for us to consider, relating to importation, immigration and aviation offences, as well as the airport’s own procedures.”

The 13-week Auckland arrangement is due to continue until Sunday 17 February 2019.

Image: Shutterstock.

Newcastle Airport unveils 20 year vision

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

An improved terminal and increased parking are just two of the developments proposed in a Master Plan for Newcastle Airport.

After lengthy consultation, the 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision was announced at a community stakeholder breakfast this morning.

The Vision includes designs for a terminal transformation expanded over two levels; additional food and beverage businesses; international flights; aero-bridges from the upper level; the creation of a pedestrian plaza; and additional car parking facilities.

In addition, the plan calls for major modifications to integrate ground transport and road access, as well as the creation of a 'campus' style business precinct.

Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock, said Hunter residents deserve a vibrant airport and a clear vision of how it will operate in the future.

"We have an amazing region that is already Australia's largest regional economy and we anticipate our passenger numbers will keep increasing."

The CEO committed to expanding current travel numbers to double, possibly triple the current flight traffic.

The Hunter Business Chamber has welcomed the plan, with CEO Bob Hawes saying the plan provides evidence of the commitment we continue to see in the region.

"It's going to be a considerable activity centre," he said, "one that will have reach well beyond this region and put us on a stage nationally and internationally in terms of capacity and capability, and that's fantastic."

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, joined Newcastle Airport officials and Lord Mayors, Nuatali Nelmes (Newcastle) and Ryan Palmer (Port Stephens) for the launch, and said they are all very excited about the Airport numbers coming through.

"There's around 1 million people [using the Airport], now they have a great master plan taking us as far out as 60 years.

"They have got a few gradual steps worked out to build the numbers up around the 5 million mark," Mr MacDonald said.

"We as a state government are very keen to support them, it's in our Regional Plan and Greater Metro Plan for the cases they're putting up for infrastructure," he continued, "whether that might be around the roads or land development around the Airport."