AFF members influence location of Sydney’s second airport?

The best airports for a frequent flyer are often those that are located close to your final destination. There is nothing worse than getting off a long flight, knowing there are still hours before you hit your workplace or hotel room, thanks to being located in the middle of nowhere. Conversely, those living near inner city airports often pay the high price that inner-city properties, and have to put up with the airport’s noise each day! Any expansion or possible curfew reduction are often met by the locals with stiff resistance as a result.

Sydney Airport is typical of the pressures a city faces as it grows. Established back in the days when most of Botany Bay was a country shire (the site was a bullock paddock) it quickly grew to service the needs of the growing area around it. By the turn of the century, it was at capacity, surrounded by a city and residents keen to enjoy its services, so long as the curfew remained between 11PM and 6AM.

With the concept of a second airport under consideration for Sydney for many years, one of our members two years ago posed a poll question, should there even be a second airport. The answer was a resounding yes, not surprisingly. At the time Wilton or Badgerys creek were the favoured sites, and debate ensued over the best choice, some using lateral thinking

Expand capacity at Kingsford Smith? 2nd Airport at Badgerys Creek? 2nd Airport at Canberra?

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Yes but somewhere out West, North or South and preferably not near current residential areas. East would also be an option if it was possible to somehow build runways further into Botany Bay or out to sea. May not be feasible now but who knows what would be possible in 10-20 years time…Need to also ensure that there is a dedicated fast link between the 2 airports

Debate raged over the options as the months and years ticked by. Perhaps the politicians were reading our forum? It certainly was an interesting coincidence that exactly two years after our members started the discussion, an announcement was made

Just heard on the news tonight that Badgery Creek is to be announced as the second airport, with funding from next year to start work.

While the new airport is still years away, the development is exciting news for both travellers and local residents of the existing airport area. Do you think the government got the site right, will the right infrastructure be in put in place, join the debate HERE.

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