LETTER TO THE EDITOR: WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT

I refer to Colin Andersen’s letter (BMG 14/11). I am always grateful for an opportunity to reaffirm my views about the Western Sydney Airport.

Since Tony Abbott made his captain’s call in 2014, and then rushed through the final EIS in 2016, nothing I have learnt of this Government’s airport plan has changed my view that there will be profound negative impacts for the Blue Mountains. Nothing I have seen in the data or through researching projects around the world has given me very much peace of mind.

I remain deeply concerned that the airport is being constructed without definite flight paths being determined, nor any of the protections that residents affected by Sydney Airport take for granted.

I have lost count of the number of times and places I have stated my concerns: I’ve addressed rallies, attended community drop in sessions, made speeches (in Parliament and elsewhere), had hundreds of conversations at community events, train stations, the local shops, and on the phone. I raise them in meetings with my colleagues, with the Minister, with Government Departments, with AirSerivces, with the Forum on Western Sydney Airport and with WSA Co who are constructing the facility.     

My speeches in Parliament are available for all to see online, and I have shared them with Mr Andersen and am happy to share with anyone else who is interested.

As I have since the day the EIS was released in 2012, I will continue to join with our community and fight hard to protect the peace and silence and quality of