It would be reasonably fair to describe today’s announcement of the final approval for a Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek as just another reannouncement of a reannouncement of a previous announcement.
Or something like that.
But if you were patient and kept an eye on the entire media conference with the Prime Minister and his infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher, it is also fair to admit that there was some meat among the bones.
Mr Turnbull’s main contribution was in neatly describing the airport plan as the equivalent of finally having received a DA – development approval.
But his minister showed that he has a very detailed grasp of both where the project is at right now and the timeline to when the first plane lands or takes off in the 3,700 metre runway being proposed.
Mr Fletcher said the next big item in that timeline was to serve notice to Sydney Airport Corp that they had four months to decide if they would exercise their option to run the new airport.
Sydney Airport have a contractual arrangement that they will get first right of refusal on the new airport.
“So our duty is to offer it to them and they have to decide one way or another,’’ Mr Fletcher said.
The minister also said airlines were very interested in setting up at Badgerys Creek.
“The next major item in the timeline is large scale earthworks to level the 1,700 hectare site and they will start in 12 months,’’ the minister said.
“Some parts of the site are about 70 metres higher than the lowest parts so this will be a major job,’’ he said.
On rail, Mr Fletcher said that when the airport opens around 2025 it will be “rail ready then or soon after the opening’’.
He said tenders had been completed for the 3.5 billion works to widen Northern Road to four lanes between Narellan and Penrith.
A road link would also be built to directly connect the airport to the M7.
The Prime Minister emphasised that his government was “determined that the airport will go ahead, and be rail ready by 2025’’.
“All the regulatory approvals have now been given so it’s on with the work from now on,’’ Mr Turnbull said.
“This will be a catalyst for jobs and investment in western Sydney, which will be Australia’s fourth largest city in its own right in 20 years’ time.
“And an airport at Badgerys Creek would also mean that it would be closer to the two million people who call western Sydney home than Kingsford Smith.’’
Local Labor MP Greg Warren welcomed the announcement but wants to see the Federal Government ramp up the timetable for construction of the airport.
“We need jobs in our area so the quicker we get an airport up and running the better,’’ he said.
Another Labor MP, Anne Stanley, the federal member for Werriwa, reiterated her concerns with the region’s ability to cope under the current plans.
Ms Stanley called for the necessary infrastructure to be provided before the first plane lands.
“To avoid gridlock, pollution and other anti-social fallouts this airport must be serviced by a rail line and proper infrastructure, before it opens.
“The whole of South West Sydney is currently being affected by a lack of good quality transport infrastructure, resulting in significant congestion which will only be compounded in coming years as projects like the airport and Moorebank Intermodal are finished,” Ms Stanley said.
Liverpool Council has welcomed the Federal Government’s final approval today to build the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.
Liverpool’s Labor Mayor Wendy Waller said the new airport will see Liverpool enter a new era of growth that will provide the region with increased employment opportunities and economic certainty.
“Today’s announcement that the airport will finally be built in Liverpool’s backyard will help future-proof the south west’s economic prosperity,” she said.
“[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]It is a complete game-changer for our region and for the residents who live in it.[/social_quote]
“Newly generated jobs in western Sydney could range from between 12,645 and 19,982 with the flow on effects of this having the greatest benefit in Liverpool, Blacktown, the Hills Shire, Penrith, and Parramatta LGAs.
“It will provide modern passenger and freight facilities, and will be a magnet for new technological activities across a broad spectrum of industries including aircraft maintenance, tracking software for freight, training, research facilities and services.
“There is a great amount of opportunity and optimism to come from this project and we look forward to working with both Federal and State Governments to realise its full potential,” Cr Waller said.
I don’t think I can recall a time that I would have agreed with both Anne Stanley and Wendy Waller on a development matter Eric , but in this case I have to agree with both of them ! It truly is an opportunity for not only Liverpool but each of the LGA’s that surround this monster project for the future.
The provision of infrastructure is vital, as is orderly and thought out development surrounding the airport if we are to benefit in a way that is as socially responsible as it is economically viable to the vast communities that will support their existence .
Batman, you’re 100 per cent right, this is a first, and, I think, wonderful, to see such a variety of views within the Labor Party.