[Greens-Media] Airport and development: where they stand

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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26 Aug 08




Airport and development: where they stand

As a matter of public importance today, Greens MLA Deb Foskey will put
before the Assembly the benefits of a more orderly approach to
development of the Canberra Airport, including a curfew.

 "Ever since the Canberra airport was privatised and its expansion plans
became obvious the ALP and the Liberal Party have been silent on airport
noise" Dr Foskey said today.

"And while we all agree that the Canberra Airport's economic
contribution to our local economy is significant, no Party in the
Assembly has been pleased with the unconstrained development that has
been allowed to occur there."

"The Canberra Airport's Draft Masterplan allows for more than 30
aircraft movements an hour, 24 hours a day.  It includes massive retail,
office and eventually residential development.  While this proposal does
technically conform to the National Capital Plan the Airport is not
bound by that plan nor by the ACT's Territory Plan."

"More importantly, there is nothing in the Airport's Masterplan that
ties it into a sustainable transport plan for the Canberra region, or
more widely; and there is no Greenhouse Gas impact analysis - simply a
plan to grower bigger and busier."

 "Untrammelled airport development and increasing residential
development in Queanbeyan and the ACT is likely to result in noise
sharing across Canberra. That will mean airport noise for many suburbs
throughout the night, unless the Federal Government applies a curfew."

"I believe it would make a difference if our Chief Minister lobbied the
Labor Federal Minister for Transport, Mr Albanese."

"These are the reasons that residents' groups and community councils
from Gungahlin to Jerrabomberra have joined forces to campaign for an
airport curfew in the lead up to local elections."

"We are yet to see Mr Stanhope or Mr Seselja stand up for the right of
local people to a good night's sleep" Dr Foskey said. 

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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