The plan was prepared by the council’s Business Unit Advisory Board in collaboration with council staff.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the plan provided direction for the future of the airport and identified strategies to improve and expand the aviation and tourism industries as well as encourage additional community events.

‘‘The airport is a unique asset that we can manage and improve upon for the benefit of everyone in our community,’’ Cr Saliba said.

‘‘The plan also looks to broaden the airport’s income base by taking steps to maximise our potential for income from activities such as industrial land leases and additional aviation industry tenants.’’

In March, Shellharbour Council unveiled a $2.6million project to upgrade the airport’s east-west runway to full operational capacity. The runway upgrade and associated works is estimated to cost $2.1million, while the project also incorporates a new tourism, hospitality and administration facility valued at $500,000.

The council had hoped to secure $1.3million in funds through the NSW government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund which has set aside $50million for regional airport upgrades.

However the council has since been advised the application was unsuccessful.

‘‘We will continue to pursue grant funding to assist with the renewals and upgrades and consider what options are now available to us to complete works in both the short and long term,’’ Cr Saliba said.

Funding has been allocated for industry consultants and airport manager to implement the changes under the strategy.

The council has rejected suggestions that aircraft movements at the airport are already excessive by releasing data that shows a downward trend in aircraft movements since 2008 and steep downward trend since 2011. 

In February, 2011 more than 2100 aircraft movements were recorded during the month; four years later this figure had been halved.

The council said this was a result of ‘‘infrastructure decline’’ and the lack of a clear airport strategy.

In 2010 the council released an airport capability study which was to guide a draft master plan for the development of the airport over the next 15 to 20 years.

A draft master plan was prepared but never released, although it was revealed the estimated cost of the master plan was in excess of $125million across its various projects and stages.