Newcastle Airport says it has nothing to hide, amid calls for an investigation into its finances.
It follows reports of possible job cuts and concerns over its level of debt.
MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FULL STATEMENT:
I am concerned that the Lord Mayor, who is head of an organisation with a $415 million annual budget, is unable to assess what the council’s financial arrangements are with a company half owned by his council.
With two nominated directors, the City of Newcastle should have adequate oversight over the airport corporation and its operations to explain what liability, if any, ratepayers have.
These are fundamentally local responsibilities which need to be handled by the representatives elected to govern the City of Newcastle.
Newcastle Airport is a vital gateway to the Hunter and its future plans are important for jobs and growth across the region.
PORT STEPHENS MAYOR, LEAH ANDERSON STATEMENT:
The reporting over the weekend stating the Lord Mayor of Newcastle is calling for an independent review by the Office of Local Government into Newcastle Airport has taken me by total surprise. These concerns appear to be based on recent media reporting. This only serves to unnecessarily increase community concern, and it impacts those staff and contractors working to deliver this much-needed regional asset.
Newcastle Airport has made itself available for briefings with key stakeholders. Council will continue to encourage an open and transparent conversation about the current and future position of the Airport.
As a 50% shareholder of Newcastle Airport, our Council has worked in partnership with the City of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport over the past two decades to transform Newcastle Airport from a small regional hub into a future globally recognised precinct for defence, aviation and aerospace.
As the airport moves through this period of significant growth, it has continued to effectively manage the challenges that come with it. The investment required to develop an international-ready airport and significant property developments is substantial, and it’s essential that Newcastle Airport continue to maintain a prudent and measured approach to the operations of the business.
Additionally, the financial statements of Port Stephens Council, including our investment in Newcastle Airport, are reviewed by the NSW Audit Office and shared publicly each year.
It’s also critically important that we, as a Council, manage our investment in Newcastle Airport on behalf of our community. My fellow Councillors and I take these obligations very seriously. We have received regular briefings on the Airport, have a clear understanding and are supportive of its strategic direction moving forward. As a Council, we stand behind our formally adopted position of 12 November 2024.
