ID :
33572
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 17:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33572
The shortlink copeid
No second airport for Sydney basin: govt
The federal government has confirmed it will search for a second airport site near Sydney but has ruled out building it within the city's basin. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese released an aviation green paper on Tuesday, saying the government would not support a second airport in the basin.
But he would not rule out individual sites around the region, with the exception of
Badgerys Creek, in Sydney's west.
It is likely that long-term thinking will turn to the possibility of an
international airport being developed at either Newcastle or Goulburn, linked to
Sydney by rail.
NSW Premier Nathan Rees said he was yet to see the most recent advice on a second
airport but he had previously thought Williamtown, near Newcastle, was the best
spot.
"I think Williamtown is the ideal location," he told reporters.
"I'd like to see the Hunter region pumped up very significantly."
Mr Albanese promised to make a more detailed statement about additional capacity for
Sydney in the second half of next year.
But he is adamant the 11pm curfew at Sydney airport will remain in place, describing
it as "not negotiable".
Mr Albanese's holding pattern on the controversial issue is unlikely to please
airlines, which have raised serious concerns about capacity constraints at Mascot.
In its submission to the green paper, Qantas called for capacity at Sydney airport
to be better used before building another airport.
"The guiding principle for Sydney should be to optimise the level of investment at
the existing airport," the airline said.
Opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss said Sydney was no closer to a solution
for its air transport needs.
"Today's green paper takes us no closer to a second Sydney airport," he said in a
statement.
"To have any credibility, Mr Albanese should be able to name which sites are under
consideration today and which are out. After all, he was a member of an internal
Labor committee set up in 2003 which failed to find a site."
The green paper said Sydney Airport Corporation's five-yearly review would be
finalised over the coming months following a consultation period.
A master plan sets out the forecast of development at the airport for the next 20
years.
The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) said the current Sydney airport would remain
the major gateway into Australia, but the government needed to look at upgrading
existing airports in Sydney's west and south-west.
"There are already fully operational airports at Bankstown and Richmond which could
be upgraded much more quickly and cheaply than a greenfield site," TTF director
Olivia Wirth said.
A Macquarie Bank spokeswoman confirmed the federal government had given it a first
option to build a new airport as a condition of the sale of Sydney Airport in 2002.
"We have a first right of refusal over the development or operation of another major
airport within a radius of 100km of the Sydney CBD," the spokeswoman said.
"But we're not providing any comment with regards to that."
A second round of consultation will close on February 27, before the release of a
white paper in the second half of next year.
But he would not rule out individual sites around the region, with the exception of
Badgerys Creek, in Sydney's west.
It is likely that long-term thinking will turn to the possibility of an
international airport being developed at either Newcastle or Goulburn, linked to
Sydney by rail.
NSW Premier Nathan Rees said he was yet to see the most recent advice on a second
airport but he had previously thought Williamtown, near Newcastle, was the best
spot.
"I think Williamtown is the ideal location," he told reporters.
"I'd like to see the Hunter region pumped up very significantly."
Mr Albanese promised to make a more detailed statement about additional capacity for
Sydney in the second half of next year.
But he is adamant the 11pm curfew at Sydney airport will remain in place, describing
it as "not negotiable".
Mr Albanese's holding pattern on the controversial issue is unlikely to please
airlines, which have raised serious concerns about capacity constraints at Mascot.
In its submission to the green paper, Qantas called for capacity at Sydney airport
to be better used before building another airport.
"The guiding principle for Sydney should be to optimise the level of investment at
the existing airport," the airline said.
Opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss said Sydney was no closer to a solution
for its air transport needs.
"Today's green paper takes us no closer to a second Sydney airport," he said in a
statement.
"To have any credibility, Mr Albanese should be able to name which sites are under
consideration today and which are out. After all, he was a member of an internal
Labor committee set up in 2003 which failed to find a site."
The green paper said Sydney Airport Corporation's five-yearly review would be
finalised over the coming months following a consultation period.
A master plan sets out the forecast of development at the airport for the next 20
years.
The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) said the current Sydney airport would remain
the major gateway into Australia, but the government needed to look at upgrading
existing airports in Sydney's west and south-west.
"There are already fully operational airports at Bankstown and Richmond which could
be upgraded much more quickly and cheaply than a greenfield site," TTF director
Olivia Wirth said.
A Macquarie Bank spokeswoman confirmed the federal government had given it a first
option to build a new airport as a condition of the sale of Sydney Airport in 2002.
"We have a first right of refusal over the development or operation of another major
airport within a radius of 100km of the Sydney CBD," the spokeswoman said.
"But we're not providing any comment with regards to that."
A second round of consultation will close on February 27, before the release of a
white paper in the second half of next year.
