Debate over second Sydney airport heats up
The debate over Sydney’s second airport has heated up over the past few weeks with shots being fired from federal, state and corporate artillery. All looking to score points from constituents, complainers and dividend hungry shareholders.
As Sydney is the busiest hub for international travel to Australia, the debate over whether to build a second Sydney airport to handle increasing capacity needs has become one of the nations most important transport issues. Unfortunately there has been a lack of strong leadership during the discussion and next to no public consultation throughout the process.
The stagnation of this process has surely been contributed to greatly by the politicisation of the issue. On a Federal level the need for increased capacity for international travel to and from Sydney is apparent. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, is adamant that a second Sydney airport is critical for the prosperity of regional NSW.
On the same heartland turf, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has been equally adamant in denying the need for a second airport, instead suggesting that air traffic be diverted to Canberra Airport and made feasible by a high-speed rail link connecting the 280KM stretch between the towns. Airport noise pollution and a pat on the back from silence seeking NSW voters seem to be the main factors defining O’Farrell’s strategy.
Finally the Sydney Airport Corporation (SAC) has weighed in with former Howard Government bureaucrat and current SAC Chairman, Max Moore-Wilton claiming that Sydney could last until at least 2029 with one airport, as long as minor adjustments are made to the movements per hour cap. Currently at 80 the cap it is suggested that the cap be increased to 85. Albanese suggests that Mr Moore-Wilton is simply distracting from the more significant issue of planning for a second airport by nit-picking through restrictions and requirements that will only be a short term fix.
So what is the answer..? This debate is set to rage well beyond the political lives of the key players involved. What the situation needs is some sound extra-election-cycle thinking from true political leaders, responsible input from key corporate figures and here’s an idea, consultation with the public! who’s lives will ultimately be impacted by the decisions made during this debate.
To here more about the issue and personally meet the key figures in the debate. Make sure you attend the Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2012
