The Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, says that flight paths for Western Sydney Airport will be released this month.

This is consistent with the previous advice I have shared that we would see the preliminary flight paths in the middle of this year.

As I have previously advised, the flight path information will be released at the same time as a noise tool, which will allow people to put their address in and see what aircraft activity they can expect to experience. Later in the year, the Environment Impact Statement will be released, and that will be the opportunity for detailed community response.

It’s important that people recognise that this is a 24/7 airport, announced by then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott without any community consultation. The indicative flight paths in the first documents released in 2015 showed Blaxland bearing the brunt of every incoming flight.

Since then, and thanks in no small part to enduring activism by Blue Mountains residents, that plan was dropped. What we don’t know is what will replace it.

I have been relentless in highlighting, for the last 8 years, the potential negative impact on our community, and I’ve advocated for protections. I don’t intend to stop doing that.

Since we came to government 12 months ago, I have worked to have these flight paths released with sufficient detail and information that allows us, and the rest of Western Sydney, to fully understand the effect. That’s what we will now see.

If you haven’t already registered at the new www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au then I’d urge you to head there so you receive the information directly as soon as it is released. This will also be the site for information about community consultation in coming months.