Will second airport bring racket or relief?

Will second airport bring racket or relief?

By Jonathan Mimo

Local Greens politicians have warned that a second airport at Badgerys Creek could counter-intuitively lead to increased aircraft noise in the inner west.

Marrickville councillor Max Phillips said a Western Sydney airport could leave Kingsford-Smith open to receiving more of the heavy jumbos that produce the most noise, like 747s and A380s.

“There is a real danger that a second airport could actually mean more aircraft noise for the inner west, with smaller, quieter planes directed to a second airport leaving extra slots open for larger, more noisy aircraft,” Cr Phillips said.

Under its present contract, Sydney Airport is given the first opportunity to develop and operate the second airport. If it refuses, the federal government can commence negotiations with another operator. It expected that Badgerys Creek would be an international airport with a runway capable of receiving international jumbo jets.

The opposition transport spokesperson, Anthony Albanese, whose electorate of Grayndler covers major flight paths, said the second airport is in the national economic interest.

“The benefit is pretty simple. Without a second airport, the airport in the east will continue to grow, you will have less noise sharing, more employment opportunities and this is all outlined in the joint study,” he said.

Mr Albanese rubbished the Greens’ position, which calls for the Mascot airport to be closed and moved.

“It is an absurd proposition – their whole proposition on the airport is bizarre,” he said.

“[The Greens] want Kingsford-Smith shut and they oppose every site for an airport – as they campaigned against Badgerys Creek and opposed every other site suggested as well.”

Cr Phillips questioned why the former transport minister did not proceed with Badgerys Creek while he was in government.

“We’ve consistently had concerns about any second airport potentially increasing the noise in the inner west,” he said.

“[Mr] Albanese has been banding it around as an easy solution but he didn’t do it when he was in power.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development said airlines are acquiring modern, quieter planes and will continue to do so before Badgerys Creek is operational.

Mr Albanese also condemned the Abbott government for its “extraordinary” failure to commit funding for public infrastructure supporting the airport.

“There needs to be a rail line, it is essential and it should be funded by the federal and state budget,” he said.

“When I was [transport] minister I committed more to public transport than any other governments combined before federation. A rail line is an important component…it will have benefits for infrastructure developments in general.”

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development said the federal government’s policy is that state governments are responsible for urban rail.

“It is the federal government’s intention that the airport site is developed to incorporate access for rail once those services are needed, though it will be the NSW government’s responsibility for investment,” a spokesperson said.

You May Also Like

Comments are closed.