Campbelltown Council may end up spending up to $30,000 for consultants to explain to them the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) on the Badgerys Creek Airport.
Despite serious reservations and concerns by some councillors that this would be a waste of ratepayers’ money, a majority voted to press ahead at tonight’s (Tuesday) meeting.
It was one of two issues which were heavily debated at the meeting; a move to contribute $10,000 to the Nepal Region Earthquake Appeal also coming under scrutiny.
Again, despite some opposition a majority voted to give the $10,000.
On the airport issue, the decision tonight means that if a majority of west and south west Sydney councils agree to also contribute towards the review of the EIS, Campbelltown will sign a cheque for up to $30,000.
The EIS is expected to be released in the next few weeks.
Council also reiterated its opposition to 24 hour operation of Badgerys Creek when it’s up and running sometime in the next decade.
Councillor George Brticevic (Labor) said it was important to fight for the area’s rights.
It was Cr Brticevic who suggested council reiterate its opposition to a 24 hour airport at Badgerys Creek.
On the other hand, Cr George Greiss (Liberal) said Campbelltown Council had already made clear its opposition to 24 hour operation and there was no need to add it to the motion to spend $30,000 for a peer review of the EIS.
“And when it comes to it, this is a lot of money for someone to do an analysis,’’ Cr Greiss said.
“There’s just no need to spend $30,000 of ratepayers’ money,’’ he said.
Another who expressed concerns at the proposal was Cr Alana Matheson (Liberal).
Cr Matheson was also concerned with the process.
“I have some concerns – will we be giving a $30,000 cheque to Blacktown Council?’’
A report to council said that the proposed peer review proposed by Blacktown City Council would “provide a cost effective (through economies of scale) means for each participating Council to be able to understand and evaluate “expert level review” findings as far as the following matters are concerned:
• the efficacy of the EIS assessment and reporting processes;
• the extent, scale and nature of likely economic and social benefits that stand to flow from the proposed airport
• the degree of significance and nature of likely environmental impacts, including any geographically localised impacts
• the identification of any constraints to the achievement of the benefits that could potentially accrue from the proposed airport, such as for example infrastructure ‘gaps’.
“It is considered that there is merit in Council agreeing to participate in the proposed independent review of the forthcoming EIS as set out by Blacktown Council,’’ the report said.
“Preliminary draft information received by Council has indicated that assuming project cost of $240,000 and that cost being spread across all western Sydney and south western Sydney Councils, Campbelltown City Council’s pro rata contribution would be in the order of $18,000.
“Should the project cost be in the order of $390,000, Council’s contribution is estimated to be in the order of $29,000.
“There is no certainty at this stage over the actual cost of the proposed expert peer review as quotations have not as yet been sought,’’ the report said.
