Pelican rising

The rebirth of Lake Macquarie Airport

It’s been more than a decade now, but the Aeropelican Twin Otters plying their airway along the coast north of Sydney are still fondly remembered. The regular flights linked the state’s capital with Newcastle from a small airport located on the fringe of Lake Macquarie. Colloquially known as Pelican, Swansea and more recently, Belmont Airport, the facility had faded from view with the withdrawal of RPT services in 2005. Now that is all set to change.

Back from the brink

Once the airport had ceased to provide regular air services it wasn’t too long before the facility was sold off with an eye to real estate development. Acquired by the Mirvac Group in 2008, the airport’s future appeared to be one of rezoning and subdivision. Rather than an aviation hub, the runway would become a distant memory lost beneath a network of roadways and building sites. However, this plan was not in line with the local council’s vision. Lake Macquarie City Council still had authority over the site in terms of its zoning laws and expressed its desire to retain the airport as an aviation asset for the community. In its 2013 ‘Lifestyle 2030 Strategy’, the council stated that the airport, “. . . has ongoing potential for use by light commuter aircraft. While it has had little use for a number of years, it can provide the ability for conveniently located short- haul services to Sydney and regional locations, and for aviation-related employment and business activity. ”A progressive outlook in today’s climate.