This submission must be read in light of its title above that was quoted from the Eurobodalla Shire Council's (ESC) Management Plan 2005-2009.
Coastwatchers believe that the Runway Extension Planning Report Nov 05 is very limited in assessing the suitability of the expansion of the Moruya Airport. It is written in terms that do not relate to the social and environmental factors that influence the redevelopment of the airport's facilities. The Moruya Airport is unusual in that it is in direct competition with other modes of transport. Unlike Merimbula, which is over 6 hours drive from the main destination of Sydney; the Eurobodalla traveller has the option of driving to Sydney in a reasonable time. The Eurobodalla traveller also has the option of connecting with interstate/ international flights within a very reasonable driving distance to Canberra.
The report also assumes continual growth in the market place without acknowledging the downturn in passenger numbers over recent times from which there has been a slow recovery. Other factors may negatively affect the passenger numbers that are beyond the control of the tourism industry generally or the airline industry particularly. For instance the global trend to increasing fuel prices may lead to a downturn in both enterprises.
Compounding this issue if the runway was extended to accommodate larger aircraft (Code 4C) this may mean fewer services than exist at the present time. In other words it would be prudent to limit aircraft size to ensure flexibility in flight schedules in the future. The report also fails to explain the cost of the extension works or the influence of those costs on the overall viability of the airport redevelopment.
The report does not consider State and Federal Polices and Legislation that are relevant to the expansion of the Airport and protect biodiversity and coastal environments.
Coastwatchers understands that these have been outlined in a submission by Warren and Turner and we concur with their views.
As noted in the study "Bengello Bounty" Coastwatchers 05, the recent IRIS survey found that in regards to the preservation of the environment the community wanted "the natural environment to be preserved and valued". They envisioned a future where "development has been carefully controlled and planned with a visionary approach to have minimal impact on the environment. Beaches and waterways remain pristine and clean and are complemented by an abundance of untouched bush areas"..... "Environmental preservation should remain a central tenet of all planning decisions and polices in the Shire".
Further to this the community took the time to nominate the ecosystem Bangalay Sand Forest with the NSW Scientific Committee for inclusion under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1996 as a Endangered Ecological Community in Part 3 Schedule 1 of the Act. This nomination was endorsed by a motion of the ESC. This ecosystem occurs to the north and north-west of the existing runway. Nic Gellie in his report to Council titled "Vulnerable Ecosystems and Landscape Planning in the Eurobodalla Shire 2001" included Bangalay Sand Forest (then described as Coastal Sands Bangalay- Old Man Banksia-Fern Forest) as being under moderately high pressure.
He recommended it for integrated landscape protection and management
which means:
Planning and management actions should limit the further fragmentation
and loss of structural and species diversity from rural residential
sub-division, grazing and patch clearing. Pending verification,
these ecosystems are considered to be under high overall threat.
Where possible, ecological pressures on these ecosystems should
be stabilised to levels that ensure long- term conservation of
ecological integrity and health of the remaining remnant patches.
This report has also been accepted by Council and forms part of the analysis that underpins the strategic planning for future development based on the much lauded Capacity Planning Modelling Tool.
It seems conclusive that the ESC, its consultants, NSW Government, Australian Government and the residents of the Shire wish to see important remnant vegetation communities preserved in the long term and that it would appear that any decision on the extension of the runway to the north will face significant hurdles in the future.
Of the 15 Aircraft listed in the report, 7 Aircraft (nearly 50%) with seating capacity ranging from 36 to 50 passenger load can utilise the existing runway. An extension in runway length to 1700 metres would mean that 12 of the 15 Aircraft with seating capacity between 36 and 105 passenger loads could provide a service to Moruya Airport.
With the future of technological advances in performance of Aircraft it would be reasonable to assume that the existing runway will be able to service the aviation needs of the Shire for many years to come.
Coastwatchers are strongly opposed to the lengthening of the runway to 2000 metres on the basis of the environmental constraints outlined above and the considerable financial risk to the ratepayers of the Shire.
In regards to the other aspects of this development design and energy efficiency should be hallmarks of any buildings constructed for dwellings, terminal operations and associated buildings. We recommend that:
Finally, how does the Moruya Airport redevelopment measure up under the title of this submission "Does our economy support our community in an environmentally friendly way"?
If the redevelopment is conservative in nature then it is consistent with the aims of the three tiers of government and the mood of the community. If however, the recommendation is to expand the runway to/or beyond 2000 metres then it will be inconsistent with past decisions of Council, inconsistent with State and Federal Policies and out of step with the desires of the community.
Coastwatchers recommends that:
Yours Sincerely
Mark Fleming (President)