It’s official! New regulations naming Badgerys Creek as the site for Western Sydney’s airport were proclaimed today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss.
Mr Truss, joined by Federal Member for Macarthur Russell Matheson, marked the milestone at the airport site this afternoon.
“The debate about a Western Sydney airport has gone on for decades. We have ended the indecision and uncertainty, getting on with the job of ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to cater for Western Sydney’s rapid population growth and development needs,” Mr Truss said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]”The airport will be a game changer for the region, NSW and the national economy. It will connect Western Sydney with the rest of the world and deliver tens of thousands of jobs through both construction and long term operation, returning around $24 billion to the economy.[/social_quote]
“Today’s proclamation prepares the way for the next key planning steps to be taken once the environmental assessment process concludes, including the determination of the airport plan. It will also enable airspace around the site to be protected.”
Mr Matheson said the proposed airport had become an important project for residents in the area, with the facility set to deliver important opportunities and benefits for locals.
“Today we continue progress towards an operational airport for Western Sydney come the mid-2020s, with the development of the draft Environmental Impact Statement and draft airport plan well under way and expected to be released for community consultation before the end of the year,” Mr Matheson said.
“Residents will have seen the bulldozers and other construction equipment on nearby roads in recent times, where the Australian Government, in partnership with NSW, is delivering $3.6 billion to dramatically improve Western Sydney roads.
“This project prepares the way for Western Sydney’s growing population and sets the foundation for a strong economy for generations to come.
“I am pleased to see the declaration of the airport site officially formalised and, with a full service airport operating around 10 years from now, we are all looking forward to the day flights begin.”
The Airports Legislation Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) Regulation 2015 amends the Airports Regulations 1997 to declare the Commonwealth-owned land at Badgerys Creek as the airport site for Sydney West Airport, as it is known in legislation.
For more information on Western Sydney’s airport and the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, visit the western Sydney airport website.
