The Western Sydney Airport will have adverse impacts on the environment and the community if further mitigation measures aren't implemented, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Badgerys Creek airport, set to open in 2025, will initially operate with one 3.7 kilometre runway, with arrival flight paths over the Blue Mountains and departure flight paths over parts of Western Sydney.
“Mitigation measures have been proposed including the need for further design, both for the airport site and airspace operations, to reduce these potential impacts during construction and operation,” according to the draft EIS, which was recently released.
Key findings in the draft EIS include:
- Noise: Residents in St Marys and Erskine Park may need to raise their voice to be properly heard in conversation, with levels of up 75 decibels expected.
- Health: Operations could lead to an increase in sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, and delays in childhood learning and cognitive development near the airport, in particular Luddenham. Further work will be undertaken to identify mitigation measures.
- Traffic: In the long term an additional 85,000 vehicle trips will be made each day. Transport infrastructure, including an extension to the South West Rail Link or other direct rail link, will be required to address demand.
- Air quality: Only marginal ozone impacts are expected. Emissions will be managed using best available techniques and offsets.
- Visual: The environment surrounding the airport will change from predominantly rural to urban.
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), which is made up of 11 local councils, is conducting an independent review of the EIS.
WSROC offers conditional support for the airport. However, the group has called for provisions to protect the environment and local communities, as well as funding for transport and other public infrastructure.
“It needs to be a world-class facility that boosts the Western Sydney economy, businesses and employment,” WSROC president Tony Hadchiti says.
“The proposed airport should also demonstrate best practice when it comes to environmental sustainability and community health.”
Following the results of their independent review, each council will make an individual submission based on the needs of its residents, environment, infrastructure and economy.
Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown is pushing for additional transport infrastructure.
“For Western Sydney and Penrith residents to benefit ... it needs to be fully integrated and connected with the region through road and rail,” she says.
“This will stimulate jobs growth beyond the airport.”