Consultation process on Western Sydney airport begins

The Australian Government’s delivery of a Western Sydney airport by the mid-2020s reached an important stage recently with the Australian Government formally issuing a Notice to Consult to the Sydney Airport Group.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss said the Notice to Consult will provide for the Australian Government and Sydney Airport Group to enter formal discussions on developing and operating an airport at Badgerys Creek.

Under the 2002 Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport Sale Agreement, the owners of Sydney Airport have a Right of First Refusal, which gives them first opportunity to develop and operate a second major airport within 100 kilometres of Sydney’s centre.

Mr Truss said “the Government is currently undertaking complex and detailed planning towards an operational airport by the mid-2020s that will generate long-term economic benefits, tens of thousands of jobs and transform Western Sydney to meet its rapid growth.”

Mr Truss said that while consultation with Sydney Airport Group is just one component of the work currently underway, it is an important step in the process. In addition, detailed work has commenced on a range of other factors, including environmental issues and ensuring genuine community consultation.

The consultation phase, initiated by the issuing of the Notice to Consult, is the first phase under the Right of First Refusal provisions. Following the consultation, the Government may decide to make a contractual offer to the Sydney Airport Group. The contractual offer would involve issuing a Notice of Intention to the Sydney Airport Group, setting out the detailed terms for the development and operation of an airport at Badgerys Creek, including technical specifications, contractual terms and timetable.

Photo by Shayan (USA)