Have we got the right plan for Kempsey Airport?
Consultation has concluded
Kempsey Airport Master Plan 2042 was adopted at July 2023 Meeting.
During the adoption process, two key changes were incorporated into the Master Plan, demonstrating the Council's commitment to safety and the importance of ongoing stakeholder engagement and community feedback. Firstly, Council resolved to review alternative locations for the fuel facility further away from the runway, for improved operational and user safety.
Additionally, in response to the final public consultation process, Council added a protective measure to the Airport terminal building and will require a further report to be presented to Council before any demolition of the airport terminal proceeds. This report will be subject to the Council's review, ensuring that all aspects of the terminal demolition align with the long-term vision for Kempsey Airport.
See the plan Kempsey Airport Master Plan 2042 here
History of development
As the owner and operator of Kempsey Airport, Kempsey Shire Council is placing a draft 20 year Kempsey Airport Master Plan on public exhibition prior to adoption.
Council recognises the importance of this asset and has developed this Airport Master Plan to guide our approach to improving, growing and developing this asset over the next 20 years. This has been compiled following two rounds of community engagement in 2022.
Once approved, the Airport Master Plan 2042 will act as the basis for:
- the timely and coordinated development of aviation facilities and infrastructure
- determining aviation and non-aviation land use, and
- appropriate management of the airport environment
Feedback to have your say on the draft Kempsey Airport Master Plan is now closed.
A plan created in partnership with the community
Council commissioned specialist consultants Aviation Projects to prepare the Master Plan.
Comprehensive stakeholder consultation was carried out from 14 July – 20 October 2022 to give local community and aviation stakeholders the best chance to have their say in the development of the Master Plan. Overall there were three key themes to the feedback:
- Stakeholders want to support the growth of Kempsey Airport
- Kempsey Airport has unrealised potential for commercial and private general aviation growth
- Landing fees require further attention
The specific concerns have been summarised below and assessed for whether they are within the scope of the Master Plan.
Limited remaining hangar sites in Business Park | Addressed in Master Plan |
A lack of suitable development sites for commercial hangars | Addressed in Master Plan |
Poor drainage in grass aircraft parking areas | Addressed in Master Plan |
No landside access to fuel facility results in fuel truck damage to airside pavements | Addressed in Master Plan |
No landside access to NSW RFS filling tanks and loading areas compromises RFS emergency operations | Addressed in Master Plan |
Deterioration of existing pavements | Addressed in Master Plan |
A lack of large aircraft parking locations | Addressed in Master Plan |
A lack of service amenities (food and beverage outlets etc). | Addressed in Master Plan |
A need for improved airport user engagement in operational decisions | Outside scope of Master Plan |
Concerns about landing fees, leasing arrangements and airport policies | Outside scope of Master Plan |
Concerns about the community impact of inappropriate aircraft operations. | Outside scope of Master Plan |
In October a draft Master Plan was shown to stakeholders. Of the two final development options presented, one option was unanimously preferred by the stakeholders who were engaged, and this option has been adopted as the basis for the Master Plan.
What does the Master Plan include?
The vision outlined on page 42 of the Master Plan is as follows:
- Kempsey Airport must be protected and promoted as a significant community and commercial asset and safeguarded for long term aviation operations
- A commitment must be maintained to Kempsey Airport becoming a financially sustainable stand-alone business operation, through the implementation of revenue maximising commercial opportunities as appropriate
- Operational management of the airport must ensure safe aircraft operations, protection of airspace and compliance with relevant regulations
- To provide updated facilities to properly support emergency service aircraft operations including RFDS and CareFlight aeromedical services and NSW Fire Service emergency response
- To promote Kempsey Airport as a competitive destination for aerospace industry businesses and provide suitable airport infrastructure for commercial hangar precinct development
- To support and encourage the growth of traditional general aviation commercial charter and training organisations and private recreational aviation activity and provide suitable infrastructure for a second general aviation precinct development
- To support the development of the proposed adventure recreation park facility
- To ensuring future development remains compatible with Kempsey Airport Noise Management Plan and Fly Neighbourly Advice.
The Master Plan includes recent Council initiatives to upgrade and develop the Kempsey Airport facilities including:
- Planning and construction for the Macleay Valley Adventure Park
- A new wildlife fence
- Upgrades to the existing general aviation pavement and apron areas and closure of the existing grass runway.
Further guidance on the Airport Master Plan including a detailed explanation of noise modelling methods and charts is provided in Your Questions Answered.
Tell us what you think!
Council has placed the draft Kempsey Airport Master Plan on public exhibition for 28 days.
The community is encouraged to provide feedback to let us know whether we’ve got the Master Plan right or if there is anything missing.
This survey is now closed.
The Kempsey Airport Master Plan was on public exhibition until 4pm Friday 19 May 2023
What happens next?
Now that the exhibition period is closed, Council will review the submissions and update the Kempsey Airport Master Plan.
The Master Plan will then be presented at the ordinary meeting of Council in June 2023 for adoption.
