Construction of a new 2760-square-metre aircraft hangar to house an office and showroom is expected to progress quickly, a spokesperson for Central Coast Council said today.

“This first stage of development is expected to inject $3 million in the local economy and create around 30 direct jobs,” they said.

Last October, American manufacturing company Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) announced plans for its $100 million relocation to Warnervale.

Former Premier Mike Baird declared it was “a great day for the Central Coast” because “thousands of jobs” would flow from the venture.

Mr Baird’s office later distanced the Premier from the project after the company confirmed it had never built a plane and its development application in December proposed “a $2.84 million project with 27 jobs”. 

Council maintained that it had fulfilled its “due diligence” obligations in entering into the agreement with AAI. 

Council administrator Ian Reynolds said the announcement was the culmination of more than 12 months of negotiations with the company.

And council chief executive Rob Noble said AAI had provided senior council staff with information about its business plan, construction certificate and financial backing.

Mr Reynolds said attracting firms such as AAI to the Central Coast and enabling employment growth was one of the top priorities for the council.

“There were a number of locations that AAI were investigating and we’re pleased to have successfully attracted AAI to the Central Coast,” Mr Reynolds said last year. 

AAI owns the licence to build the HU-16 Models A-E and G-111 Albatross Amphibian Aircraft.

AAI indicated it was now planning Stage 2 to include a full aircraft manufacturing facility “worth almost $100 million dollars and creating 270 jobs”, the council spokesperson said today.