Government releases Badgerys Creek draft airport master plan and EIS

The Federal Government has released the draft airport plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, paving the way for construction to begin in 2016. 

Flight paths, building requirements for stage one of the airport’s development, as well as a long term, strategic vision for the facility are some of the aspects covered in the recently released documents.

The release marks the start of a 60 day consultation period with the public.

Described as one of the biggest infrastructure projects Australia has seen in decades, the first stage of the delivery of Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek would cater for about 10 million passengers a year.

The airport would commence operations at a similar size to the Gold Coast Airport and move to the equivalent of Adelaide Airport about five years after starting operation.

Sydney Airport Limited has first right of refusal to build and operate the new airport within 100km of the Sydney CBD, and has indicated in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on Monday that it ‘welcomes’ the release of the draft master plan and EIS.

The government hopes to start construction on the airport next year and have it operating by the mid-2020s.