11 Central Coast Council has succeeded in driving another major business from the Central Coast. On this occasion a combination of political point scoring and incompetent council staff have driven Nighthawk Aviation to locate to Essendon Airport in Victoria when their preference was Central Coast Airport at Warnervale. Nighthawk who has been operating out of Cessnock Airport for a number of years has outgrown Cessnock’s capacity to allow for expansion and as a result the logical site to relocate to was Central Coast Airport. Nighthawk Aviation CEO commenced negotiations with Council almost two years ago to lease ten hectares to establish a helicopter pilot training facility and maintenance and support facility. Negotiations stalled with the impending Local Government Elections in September and an urgent motion was put before council at its first meeting in November. Council was made aware of the urgent nature of securing the lease with Nighthawk. However after lengthy discussions involving Labor and Independent councillors who wanted to defer negotiations pending a public tender and no decision being made before the airport masterplan was adopted. Finally that motion was defeated with the Liberal/Team Central Coast councillors voting 8 to Labor and Independent 7 votes and the CEO David Farmer, authorised as a matter of urgency to negotiate an aviation services lease for a helicopter hub over part of the Central Coast Airport at Warnervale. Meanwhile negotiations with Council staff dragged on. It appears the CEO delegated the negotiations to staff who obviously have no commercial understanding of the real world. At the same time Mr Kennedy was holding meetings councils planning staff who indicated that it could take up to two years to get the DA approved. In the end Nighthawk Aviation has advised that it will relocate to Essendon. Mr Kennedy told CCBR that with their expansion to Warnervale he would ultimately have employed around forty people. THE AUSTRALIAN TRAVELER magazine has listed its Top 100 Australian Getaways for 2025 with The Bells at Killcare and Pretty Beach House being listed #1 and #2 out of nine Luxury Stays in Australia. That honour was in April and in late May The Bells at Killcare were named in The Gourmet Hotel Guide’s as one of fifteen Best Hotels in NSW and ACT. Owned and operated by Karina and Brian Barry, The Bells at Killcare and Pretty Beach House were bought from adman John Singleton in 2016. Their knowledge and understanding of regional tourism goes back to their days in the Hunter Valley. Karina Barry completed her training at The Regent of Sydney, the Savoy in London and the iconic Rockpool Restaurant, prior to moving to the Hunter Valley in 1991 as owner operator of The Hunter Resort with her brother. She was also one of the founders of the Bluetongue Brewery, (along with husband Brian Barry and a group of Hunter businessmen). Brian Barry spent most of his career in sales and marketing within the wine industry, working with Brown Brothers, McWilliams and Orlando Wyndham. In 1998 he joined Karina’s family business to establish the Hunter Valley Wine School and run the wine side of the business. Their vision is to continually develop Bells at Killcare as a leading world class destination that is a true retreat, Commenting on the recognition of their properties Mrs Barry said, “This recognition is a true testament to the dedicated teams behind each property, who consistently deliver exceptional experiences with heart, soul, and genuine hospitality.” “To be acknowledged alongside so many outstanding destinations is a real honour—and a reminder of just how special our little pocket of paradise on the Bouddi Peninsula is.” NEW PATIENTS Comprehensive checkup & clean Includes up to 5 x-rays No Gap (with health insurance) or $290 OFFERS (all patients) Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic makeover consultation FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay & Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare General Dentistry | Emergency Care | Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics & Invisalign | Sleep Dentistry IV Sedation | Oral Surgery Wisdom Teeth Removal | Dental Implants | 3D CT Scanning 02 4323 1933 | www.vcdental.com.au Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250 OPEN 7 DAYS 40 YEARS LOCAL T: 4382 8600 Call us to book your function BUSINESS NEWS Pretty Beach House and Bells at Killcare named Australia’s Top Luxury Getaways Pretty Beach House and The Bells at Killcare owners Karina and Brian Barry Coast loses major operator for Warnervale airport CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW JUNE 2025
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