Federal Government backs new 24-hour airport for Sydney
By David Flynn, December 2 2013
The Federal Government has signalled that a second airport for Sydney would operate 24 hours a day, indicating the airport will be built at Badgery's Creek and would be operating inside of 15 years.
"A number of people have suggested alternatives (to Badgery's Creek) but all of them seem to have problems" Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said in an interview with ABC TV's 7.30 program overnight.
"It was the site that was chosen a long time ago and it is still obviously the frontrunner. There's no perfect site for a second airport."
The proposed site of the Badgerys Creek Airport, aka Sydney West Airport
www.infrastructure.gov.au
A final decision is expected to be made early next year, although the site is already earmarked on Google Maps as Sydney West Airport and has been allocated the airport code of SWZ.
Read: Google Maps plots Badgery's Creek Airport (aka Sydney West SWZ)
Truss also indicated the new airport would operate 24 hours a day, compared to the current 11pm to 6am curfew imposed by Sydney Airport on international flights.
"If Sydney is to be a world-class city … a city that is going to be able to compete internationally, then it will have to have airport services that are available 24 hours" Truss said.
''There's no doubt that Sydney loses a lot of the economic benefit of its airport because it is only operating limited hours. There are a number of movements out of Melbourne and Brisbane that happen in hours when there is no airport open in Sydney."
Truss also stated that a second airport for Sydney should be running before the 2027 target date nominated by the Western Sydney Alliance group which is promoting Badgery's Creek.
'I am confident that an airport could be built and operating well and truly before the target date set by the alliance" Truss said. ''You'd start modestly and then build up the facilities once the traffic movements justify it.'"
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
End the curfew at Sydney Airport.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
That won't happen at SYD... unless of course all of the supporters of 24hr airport operation purchase properties under the flight paths.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Political suicide. At least the second airport isn't the hot potato it used to be, now that all parties (even the NSW Premier) are essentially on board.
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
It's ridiculous to constrain the airport that is so close to the CBD. Badgery's Creek is so far from the city. Yes, it will have some value in a few decades, but ditching the curfew on Mascot is the sensible thing.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Please tell me you live under the Sydney flight path? (for the record I don't)
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
I don't, but I used to live under the flight path. It could be loud at times, but you could hardly hear the newer planes.
Having lived in both regions of Sydney I have to say the whole 'put it out west' argument for dealing with unpleasant things is getting old.
If Badgery's Creek is to be 24/7 then Mascot should be too. Fair is fair.
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
It's a shame politics often gets in the way of sensibility.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Here's an idea; Let's label the project "Operation Sovereign Sky" and build the airport on the sly without community scrutiny/objections!
Once in a lifetime opportunity. They've got 3 years to get cracking!
LOL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jan 2012
Total posts 172
Building a brand new airport at Badgery's Creek will hopefully give us a world class airport terminal to match the fantastic standards of Singapore, Hong Kong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Kingsford Smith Airport is a mish mash of buildings from different decades and half completed projects.
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 212
How about on Kurnel refinery site once its decommissioned, 2 cats and a dog live there.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 95
Grab the kurnel refinery site now whilst its available. Why not think ahead and build offshore on artificial island! Look at what they did in Hong Kong. Surely we can do something similar.
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
Indeed. Even the Brits are looking at building a floating mega airport in the Thames estuary.
We just don't have that kind of vision in Australia anymore.
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