Residents respond to Williamtown RAAF base upgrade

Yesterday the Newcastle Herald reported plans to extend the runway north-west towards Raymond Terrace to prepare for the arrival of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

The extension will be accompanied by increased maintenance and training at the base.

And though a busier base means more noise, the animosity that once existed between residents and the base seems to have subsided.

"There's a bit of a reluctance to bite the hand that feeds [because] it's true that the base creates a lot of employment . . . things like Medowie's new supermarket definitely wouldn't happen otherwise," Reverend Bryce Amner from the Williamtown, Mallabula and Medowie Anglican congregation said.

"But there's also no doubt the noise is annoying . . . you could call it a mixed blessing."

Last week, during a funeral service at St Saviour's in Williamtown, a group of four jets flew overhead during the reading of the gospel passage, causing a delay in proceedings.

"But, by and large, the base is very quiet of a Sunday," he said.

Defence says a longer runway will mean less noise, with jets able to take off without reaching full power.

Louise Hickie, from the Port Stephens Animal Refuge on nearby Cabbage Tree Road, said she would "believe that when I see it".

The noise could be "irritating" late at night, but otherwise she didn't have a problem.

"Would you move to the ocean and complain about the waves?" she said.

"As far as I'm concerned they were here first, there's a big sign on our street saying you're in a noise zone [and] anyone who wants to buy knows all about it."

Port Stephens councillor Chris Doohan, a former RAAF member who now works for BAE Systems , believes most people support the upgrades.

"It's a great thing for the community," he said. "It creates more jobs [and] it shows a strong commitment from the air force that they're going to work with the community."