Flight Paths Concerns
Concerns have already been raised over the five proposed flight paths for the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek, to be called Nancy Bird Walton, that may see some flights over Hawkesbury.
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The airport, set to open in 2026, will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Federal MP for Macquarie Susan Templeman said she welcomed the release of the preliminary flight paths with detailed information and transparency but acknowledged a number of the flight paths impact the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury.
?These are not similar flight paths which were contained in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of 2015, which had every incoming flight pass over Blaxland,? she said.
?Although some people may feel relief, others will undoubtedly be surprised and concerned to see their area Impacted.?
The flight paths were released by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King who said they were designed to minimize flights over residential areas, particularly during the night.
She said the community can offer feedback on the draft EIS during a formal public exhibition period following its release.
?This feedback will undoubtedly be regarded as we finalise the flight path design prior to the new airport starting operations by late 2026.?
In accordance with details contained on the website https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/
Departures from the Nancy Bird Walton International airport could result in 2 to 6 departures flying over Bligh Park and Windsor areas. The biggest impact from the proposal will be the regions of Pitt Town, Ebenezer, Cattai and Lower Portland which will be under a flightpath for arrivals meaning 8 to 19 flights each day.
Susan Templeman said: ?In releasing these flight paths, I have demanded that accurate and detailed information be accessible to us all? we need to have time to grasp the flight paths before being asked to respond to an Environment Impact Statement (EIS).
?I encourage everyone in the Mountains and Hawkesbury to gain access to the information at www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au
?Anyone who does not need internet access should contact my office so we are able to distribute the hard copy information I expect to be accessible from the Department of Infrastructure shortly. Once we digest the impact of the preliminary flight paths, I know people will feel angry. I know people will undoubtedly be upset. Flight Paths Concerns know we need to work together as a residential area to possess effective input into this process.?
Community information and feedback sessions have already been organised, the nearest are at Parramatta (Thursday 20th July from 3pm to 8pm and Civic Gallery and Blacktown on Saturday 22nd July 11am to 4pm Max Webber Library.
Plans for a second Airport terminal for Sydney at Badgerys Creek were first announced in 1986.
For more information about the current plans visit https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/