The plan would be different to the former Aeropelican operation, airport co-owner Matt Hall said.

‘‘It’d be more of a charter operation,’’ Mr Hall, a prominent race pilot, said.

‘‘We aim to get a commuter system going, where people can fly to a pre-planned destination of their choosing anywhere on the eastern seaboard.’’

As well as Matt Hall Racing, the new owners are Airborne, Newcastle Helicopters, Skydive the Beach and a private investor.

They bought the 15-hectare site from property developer Mirvac.

‘‘We previously had an arrangement to buy the airport, which we pulled out of because there were some unresolved issues [with the Lake Macquarie City Council],’’ Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said some issues remained unresolved ‘‘but we believe we have more of a win-win situation we can work with’’.

Swansea MP Garry Edwards said the council had originally demanded a new development application for an airport, rather than an application for site improvements only.

‘‘It’s a pity the council didn’t take the handbrake off progress six months ago,’’ Mr Edwards said.

Mr Edwards said the delay showed ‘‘the NIMBYs have taken control of the council’’.

‘‘It’s good to see they’re finally waking up to themselves,’’ he said, referring to apparent concessions council staff made for the plans.

A council statement said ‘‘council staff have made no concessions to the new owners of the Belmont Airport site’’.

‘‘Staff have consistently advised that a DA [development application] for airport-related activity will be required,’’ the statement said.

Mr Hall said plans included ‘‘opening up the airfield for private aircraft’’ and aviation-related businesses.

‘‘Hopefully we’ll get a cafe/restaurant up and running,’’ he said.

He said it was a small airfield and ‘‘we’ll never have large aircraft operating out of there’’.

The plan was to use ‘‘efficient, faster and quieter’’ aircraft than past operations.

Helicopters could fly to Sydney and PC-12 turboprops to Melbourne, he said.

‘‘The ultimate plan is unlimited,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a matter of slowly but surely developing it, so we’re not upsetting or insulting anybody.’’

Mr Hall is a former RAAF fighter pilot who competes in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Asked if such racing could come to Belmont, he said: ‘‘It’d be great in some ways to have a race at Belmont, but it’s not something we’re actively pursuing at the moment’’.