[Greens-Media] Albanese fails on Sydney Airport navigation upgrade plan

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
26 May 2010


Albanese fails on Sydney Airport navigation upgrade plan

The Greens have called on federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese
to rule out the planned new navigation system for Sydney Airport that
if implemented would increase the number of planes landing in Sydney
and increase aircraft noise. (SMH, page 1, http://bit.ly/c4Iuid)

"Mr Albanese's failure to reject the Performance-based Navigation
scheme for Sydney Airport will subject residents in his own electorate
and other flight path suburbs to even more aircraft noise," Greens
senate candidate Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Minister cannot side step this issue with talk of 'consultation'.
He has just created a massive election issue that will see the Greens
targetting his failure to act on their behalf.

"Residents in aircraft noise impacted suburbs wake up this morning to
the extraordinary news that rather than a reduction in aircraft noise
they will soon be living under even noiser flight paths.

"No amount of technical talk about the new landing scheme can hide the
fact that the outcome will be more aircraft landing at Sydney Airport
and that means more noise.

"Similar schemes have resulted in an additional 12 planes an hour
landing at some overseas airports.

The Greens candidate for the seat of Grayndler Sam Byrne said "This
scheme delivers more aircraft movements every hour, making it clear
why Mr Albanese has always refused to commit to the cap in movements
called for by the local community.

"If the Minister fails to rule out of the the Performance-based
Navigation scheme he will have once again demonstrated that his
government puts the interests of private operators before those of the
community.

"Minister Albanese's appalling record in dealing with Sydney Airport
noise and other pressures on locals is now a key election issue in
Grayndler.

Ms Rhiannon said, "The Minsiter's attempt to use the Sydney Airport
Community Forum as cover for the introduction of the Performance-based
Navigation scheme just further undermines Labor's credibility on this
issue.

"This Sydney Airport Community Forum is stacked with Labor identities
including the Marrickville ex-mayor, Barry Cotter, appointed as
Marrickville’s ‘community representative’ and South Sydney ex-mayor,
Vic Smith is South Sydney’s ‘community representative’. Other Forum
members come from the office of Labor state MP, Carmel Tebbutt.


For more information –  Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Sam Byrne 0408 231 509