14/12/00 Airport solution

[Stafford Sanders]

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Lee Rhiannon MLC (NSW) The Greens
Media Release 14/12/00 

Time for Far-sighted Airport Decision


The Greens have called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate suitable sites outside the Sydney Basin to replace Kingsford-Smith Airport.
Says The Greens airport spokesperson and Marrickville Councillor Paul Fitzgerald: "There's only one solution to the problems of noise, air pollution and crash risk posed by the ever-increasing numbers of aircraft flying over Sydney's residential areas.
"That's to replace Kingsford-Smith with an airport built outside the Sydney Basin and connected with the city by fast train." 
"The government's current plans are about election-year politics - take the heat off marginal electorates around Badgerys Creek, but at the same time hang onto the land.
"The government still intends to build an airport at Badgerys. They're delaying the official decision for two reasons: one, to get themselves through the coming election campaign; and two, because the airline industry wants KSA to be used as intensely as possible - and they can work towards that by building up the use of Bankstown to take some regional traffic to free up capacity at KSA for more jets.
"This is tough on the large residential community around Bankstown, who'll have to cope with more regional aircraft and some 737s.
"It's also tough on the residents around Kingsford-Smith, who'll see the numbers of jet overflights increase dramatically.
"Decisions about the management of Sydney's air traffic have always been made for short-term political reasons. That's why we're now faced with major problems. Building a replacement airport outside the Sydney Basin offers a real long-term solution.
"The question is, who in Federal politics has the courage and vision to do what's necessary?"

Media inquiries: 	Stafford Sanders   	ph. (02) 9230 3549 or 0409 787 911
More information:	Paul Fitzgerald	ph. 0418 207 148	


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