First up, Mayor Karen McKeown has called for a 90 day, rather than 60 day exhibition period, which is due to end on December 18.
“I consider the 60 day exhibition period inadequate to address the level of detail involved and the impacts an airport may have,” Clr McKeown said. “The report is 4000 pages long.”
Clr McKeown said she could not yet comment on specific details until she had read the report fully.
Penrith, along with neighbouring Western Sydney Councils (WSROC and MACROC) have appointed an independent team of experts to go over the EIS to inform their submission.
“This will ensure we can accurately represent the best interests of our community,” Clr McKeown said.
“We’re looking for commitments on jobs, road, rail and other infrastructure to support the airport.”
Penrith and surrounding councils maintain the airport needs to be fully integrated and connected with the region with road and rail infrastructure if it were to stimulate jobs growth.
“We also want to see that our natural environment and the amenity of our community is protected,” Clr McKeown said. “A key issue is how noise is to be effectively managed, this is not negotiable.”
Meanwhile, The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has reaffirmed its support for the new airport to have no curfew.
Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown, said that the draft plans show that the noise impacts from Sydney’s second airport on surrounding areas around Badgerys Creek will be very minimal.
"The Western Sydney Airport is a massive game-changer and we should be thinking big. We only have one shot at getting this right, and this means it must be curfew-free and there has to be effective transport links, including heavy rail, and preferably fast-rail," Mr Brown said.
“The Federal Government has already committed over $3b in roads infrastructure to support the development of the airport and it has shown that it is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure that all of the ingredients that make up a world-class airport precinct are in place. The State has a role to play in funding the rail lines and using dynamic agencies like Urban Growth to manage development and drive business funding for rail via use of value capture of rezoned private land.”
Mr Brown added that providing the appropriate transport links, such as extending the current Metro line from Bankstown to Liverpool and then to Badgerys Creek, as well as implementing a single network control with Kingsford Smith Airport, are also important “to-do” items.
“For Badgerys Creek to be successful, Sydney Airport Corporation should manage both Badgerys and Kingsford Smith Airport, as single network control enhances productive operation, and is the best way to speed up the rollout of the new airport,” Mr Brown said.
To look at the EIS documents and make a submission, go to http://westernsydneyairport.gov.au/resources/deis/submissions.aspx
- Story by Di Bartok
