Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has delivered a major milestone in the development of an airport for Western Sydney—releasing the draft Airport Plan and the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public consultation.
“The new airport will create tens of thousands of jobs for the people of Western Sydney through the construction phase and during operations,’’ Mr Truss said.
“As a full-service international airport, it will be a business and tourism hub, creating long-term jobs and economic prosperity for the region,” Mr Truss said.
“The Australian Government is committed to a robust assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts to ensure the proposed airport can deliver the best outcomes for the Western Sydney community.
“The draft Airport Plan and the draft EIS have been released together today to ensure that all issues surrounding the airport development can be considered simultaneously. The community has 60 days to comment, with submissions closing on December 18.
“Ending decades of uncertainty and indecision, the Australian Government is getting on with the job of making a new airport for Western Sydney a reality, officially declaring the airport site in July and improving the road network servicing the region as part of our $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.
“Importantly, we are moving to a position where construction of the new airport could be under way next year, with the airport commencing operations in the mid-2020s.
“With Western Sydney’s population set to balloon from two million to three million people over the next two decades, a Western Sydney airport is about planning for that future.
“I encourage interested members of the community to make a submission on the draft Airport Plan and the draft EIS. Following the 60-day consultation period, the Airport Plan and EIS will be finalised, taking account of submissions received.”
To find out more about the submission process and community consultation activities for both the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS, visit the western Sydney airport website.
