Shellharbour Airport as it is today. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
A critical piece of land that has enabled emergency access to Shellharbour Airport for more than 30 years has been saved from the open market, after Shellharbour City Council moved to compulsorily acquire it for $110,000 to safeguard public safety and airport operations.
Council entered into a licence agreement in 1992 with Roads and Maritime Services (now Transport for NSW) to formalise its use of a parcel of land adjoining the northwestern end of Shellharbour Airport to allow emergency access to the airport runway.
However, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) recently advised council the land was listed on its commercial property portfolio for divestment on the open market.
Despite council being the primary user of the land for more than three decades, and its ongoing critical role in facilitating emergency access to Shellharbour Airport which it owns, TfNSW confirmed the land didn’t meet eligibility criteria for direct transfer to council.
At its June meeting, council proposed purchasing the land by exercising its statutory powers under the Land Acquisition Act 1991.
It took councillors little time to pass the motion to make an application to the Minister for Local Government to acquire the land for $110,000.
In supporting the motion, councillor Kellie Marsh thanked TfNSW for the loan of it “for quite a few years”.
“Obviously, this is needed to continue to provide emergency access to the airport,” she said.
In seconding the motion, Cr John Davey echoed her remarks.
“Thank you to Transport for NSW for the use of the land, but now the piper must be paid,” he said.
“They’re putting it on the open market, so they are unable – because of their own policies – to enter into direct negotiations.
“So we will compulsorily acquire this piece of land to continue to give emergency access to the airport.”
Relocation of the emergency access is not considered feasible, as alternatives such as access from the Princes Highway would conflict with traffic flow and significantly delay emergency response times.
Illawarra Highway access is therefore essential to ensure Shellharbour Airport meets aviation safety obligations and maintains operational readiness.
It includes a gate on the land that serves as the primary emergency entry point to the Runway End Safety Area (RESA).
RESA is a regulated zone designed to provide a buffer in the event of an aircraft undershooting or overshooting the runway.
Proposed acquisition of land presents an opportunity for council to secure long-term emergency access to Shellharbour Airport and formalise a long-standing operational arrangement.
Acquisition supports public safety, ensures continuity of airport operations, and complies with council’s statutory obligations.
The motion was unanimously passed.
