Bayside Council is working to ensure residents' concerns regarding changes to Sydney Airport's flight paths are heard before the new international airport in Badgerys Creek opens.
Council's assessment of the Commonwealth Government's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposed flight paths for the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport identified several issues.
The proposed changes to flights out of Sydney International (Kingsford Smith) Airport to accommodate the new airport will see noise impacts increase for residents in the northwest of the LGA.
Council's assessment also identified that the EIS provided inadequate assessment of these adjusted flight paths regarding planning outcomes, air quality, hazard and risk, wildlife strike risk, and biodiversity for the Bayside LGA.
During the EIS exhibition period, Council received submissions from concerned residents. These were included in Council's draft submission.
Council's draft submission also suggested reasonable measures to address its concerns.
Council resolved, at its October 2023 Council Meeting, to provide a written feedback on the EIS before submissions closed on 31 January 2024. This draft submission was provided to the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts.
Council's first opportunity to discuss the draft submission was at its City Planning and Environment Committee on Wednesday 14 February 2024 where it was agreed to send it to the Council Meeting on Wednesday 28 February.
The draft submission is available as part of the Agenda and Minutes published on Council's website.
Mayor Saravinovski said:
"We have a very good working relationship with Sydney Airport, and I am confident that our concerns will be taken into consideration," Mayor Bill Saravinovski said.
