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Sydney master plan approved, but new delays for a second airport site?

written by australianaviation.com.au | February 19, 2014

Sydney Airport's Master Plan 2033 has been approved by the federal government. (Andrew McLaughlin)
Sydney Airport’s Master Plan 2033 has been approved. (Andrew McLaughlin)

The federal government has approved Sydney Airport’s 20-year ‘Master Plan 2033’ which outlines the airport’s plans for its operations and development for the period to 2033 and beyond, but at the same time has indicated new delays in naming a site for a second Sydney Airport.

“While the plan sets out plans to use the airport’s limited growth potential to full effect, it does not change the underlying constraints on the site and it is clear the Sydney region will need another major airport to cope with soaring demand,” Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss said in announcing the master plan’s approval.

“The government is proceeding with its commitment to make a decision on the location of a new airport within its first term.”

Upon coming to power last year the Coalition government had indicated a decision on the second Sydney site, expected to be Badgerys Creek, would be announced by the end of 2013.

Earlier this month the Daily Telegraph reported that Prime Minister Tony Abbott had delayed making a final decision on the site to convene a committee of government western Sydney MPs to address concerns they may have around the issue.

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In the meantime, the Sydney Airport master plan outlines new ground transport, terminal upgrades and extensions, and other improvements for Australia’s busiest airport so that it can cater for 74 million passengers a year by 2033, nearly double the 38 million passengers who used the airport in 2013.

“Sydney Airport is one of Australia’s most important pieces of infrastructure and is a vital economic engine for Sydney, NSW and Australia,” airport CEO Kerrie Mather said in a statement.

“The initiatives we outline in the Master Plan 2033 will meet the needs of our customers by delivering a superior passenger experience, improving the efficiency of the airport, enhancing safety and maximising capacity at Sydney Airport.

“The plan includes innovative ground transport solutions developed in collaboration with the NSW government that will significantly improve access to the airport and road traffic flow around it,” she added.

“We’ve also proposed significant upgrades to our public transport facilities to facilitate more public transport services. We’ve already commenced planning work on improving traffic flow and reducing congestion to the airport, including a new road and exit for T1. The remaining ground transport works – including a new one-way ring road for the T2/T3 precinct – are expected to be completed by 2018, with works commencing shortly.”

Sydney Airport is due to publicly release the master plan on its website within 50 days once it finalises details of the plan with the federal government.

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