WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT BACK ON THE RUNWAY
23-February-2011
Louise Markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie, today expressed her concerns that the Richmond RAAF base is again being considered as an option for Sydney’s second airport following comments by the NSW Premier.
Mrs Markus said that the way of life we currently enjoy in the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains would be severely threatened should the Richmond RAAF base become Sydney’s second airport.
“In September 2007 the then Shadow Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, stated that Labor had no plans to alter the status of Richmond RAAF Base,” Mrs Markus said.
“The Gillard Labor Government cannot be trusted to prioritise the best interests of the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury when it comes to a second Sydney airport. They have a habit of making and breaking promises. The best example of that is the Carbon Tax. The Gillard Labor Government did a back flip by putting a Carbon Tax back on the agenda which will potentially see electricity costs rise by 100% in coming years,” Mrs Markus added.
The NSW Labor Premier recently stated Sydney needed a second airport, adding the final decision on a likely location rested with the Federal Labor Government.
“The NSW Labor Premier’s comments are a major concern for all western Sydney residents, suggesting the region is back on the runway as an option.” Mrs Markus said.
“A second Sydney airport at Richmond would cause greater traffic congestion, and increase the amount of noise and pollution throughout the region. The escarpment of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains would potentially be threatened should it need to accommodate larger planes.
“I will fight any move to establish a second airport in western Sydney that threatens the way of life of communities in the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. I challenge the Defence Minister to unequivocally guarantee that the Richmond RAAF Base will remain an important and integral arm of the Australian Defence Force and not an option as Sydney’s second airport,” Mrs Markus said.