RE: INCREASED pilot training at Kempsey Airport. This issue has generated a lot of heat in the Kempsey community. This could have been avoided had council and AIAC embarked on an open and transparent community consultation process before the Development Application to expand airport infrastructure was lodged.
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Had community consultation commenced in the middle of 2016 when the second Memorandum of Understanding between council and AIAC was signed, it is highly likely we wouldn’t be in the position we are now. And by ‘we’ I mean all stakeholders - for and against.
Council attempted to sneak the buildings DA through as if it was the same as me putting up a four-bay colorbond shed in my back yard. This was naive at best. The cynic in me tells me that council hoped the adverse flow on impacts of increased flying operations on the broader community would go unnoticed.
Hindsight is a marvellous thing and all of this is now water under the bridge. So, where to from here?
The Joint Northern Region Planning Panel has deferred its determination on the DA and associated increase in flying operations pending, among other things, council conducting its own noise assessment using actual measured data and hopefully a more robust, comprehensive noise assessment methodology. However, there is more in this than just the noise issue.
The JNRPP deferral has bought some time for council to go back a step and conduct an inclusive community consultation process involving all stakeholders. There are plenty of professional consultancies around that could develop a consultation strategy for council and independently chair the process. This process was employed in the Kempsey Bypass Project and it worked well.
A stakeholder consultative committee should be formed to find solutions that meets the reasonable expectations of all parties. Stakeholders might include representatives from:
• AIAC
• Council
• Local residents
• Recreational flyers
• Aldervilla Primary School
• Macleay Business Chamber
• Tourism interests.
First up, council needs to include local residents in developing the noise assessment methodology, particularly the location of acoustic receptors.
If all parties enter discussions in good faith and look for a win/win outcome, then the Macleay Valley may well come out on top.
Dick Pearson
Yarravel
Poor behaviour
THE PROPOSAL by the Australian International Aviation College (AIAC) to substantially increase pilot training operations at Kempsey airport has generated considerable debate and concern in the community.
The Save Kempsey Airport Action Group initially formed after the AIAC lodged a Development Application with council to expand their ground based infrastructure at the airport. Lack of information and consultation with the community by council in regards to this DA was of particular concern.
The Save Kempsey Airport Action Group has become aware that racial overtones have entered this debate.
It is understood that some of the trainee pilots have been abused in the street and shops.
This is inexcusable and unlawful behaviour and will not be tolerated by the group.
The Save Kempsey Airport Action Group unequivocally condemns racial vilification in any form.
Adam Ulrick
Chair, Save Kempsey Airport Action Group
Aldavilla
Let’s get this done
EXCELLENT idea about a postal referendum (backed by MPs Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison) to fulfil a Liberal promise (on marriage equality).
We expect howls of protest from sections of the politically correct fraternity: “Those incompetent electors! How dare they … etc”.
The most stable society on the planet has had government police determined by the people for about 150 years. Switzerland.
It’s time to try this.
Bryan Morrow
Kempsey
DID YOU KNOW:
At the 2011 census, Hat Head had a population of 326.