At its meeting on Monday night, council voted down a rescission motion that sought to overturn a resolution made last year to suspend works at Central Coast Airport and divert funds earmarked for development works there.

Mayor Jane Smith said councillors decided there were better employment-generating options across the Coast that council should explore and invest in.

“Council must take the lead in advocating for its residents and making the right investment that will create the jobs the Coast needs now and as it continues to grow,” Cr Smith said.

Had the rescission motion raised by councillors Greg Best, Troy Marquart, and Jilly Pilon got up, the trio planned to move a motion that council “engage formally with its community for the first time on this issue through an independently conducted statistically valid survey seeking direction and better understanding on community expectations”.

The Central Coast Aviation Hub concept plan, proposed last November, was for an “integrated aviation, manufacturing and education” precinct at the airport.

The concept plan predicted the creation of between 700 and 950 jobs on site and an increase in the regional economy of $290 million.

Cr Smith noted the state government had not included the airport in its Central Coast Regional Plan.

But in November, council received a letter of support from the Office of Regional Development for a Central Coast Aviation Hub. The letter noted the “significant opportunity” to establish or relocate general aviation at the airport site.

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